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CONSECRATED ANEW 


A HTOKY OF 

CHRISTIAN ENDEAVOR WORK 



BELLE V. CHISHOLM 


'jaN yiil894 

PHILADELPHIA ^ ^ 

PRESBYTERIAN BOARD OF PUBLICATION 
AND SABBATII-SCIIOOL WORK 
i:«4 CHESTNUT STREET 



I 


COPYRIGHT, 1893, BY 

THE TRUSTEES OF THE 

PRESBYTERIAN BOARD OF PUBLICATION 
AND SABBATH-SCHOOL WORK. 

All Rights Reserved. 


i 




Westcott & Thomson, 
Stereotypers and Electrotypers. Philada. 


; 


CONTENTS 


CHAPTER L 

PAGE 

A Strange Appointment 7 

CHAPTER 11. 

Misunderstood 10 

• • 

CHAPTER III. 

A New Experience 28 

CHAPTER IV. 

New Purposes Formed 40 

CHAPTER V. 

Taking up the Cross 60 

CHAPTER VI. 

“Of the Earth, Earthy 68 

CHAPTER VII. 

AccEi»'riNG the Responsibility 66 


3 


4 


CONTENTS, 


CHAPTER VIII. 

PAGE 

Wayside Sowing 74 

CHAPTER IX. 

The Consecration Meeting 84 

CHAPTER X. 

Bits of Work 92 

CHAPTER XL 

The Business Meeting 101 

CHAPTER XII. 

My Brother’s Keeper 110 

CHAPTER XIII. 

An Important Decision 119 

CHAPTER XIV. 

Signing the Pledge 128 

CHAPTER XV. 

Helen’s Special Work 142 

CHAPTER XVI. 

A New Leader 158 


CONTENTS, 


5 


CHAPTER XVIL 

PAGE 

As Others See Us 167 

CHAPTER XVIIL 

Helen’s Experiment 181 

CHAPTER XIX. 

The Social 191 

CHAPTER XX. 

The Thank-Offering Meeting 203 

CHAPTER XXL 

Dishonoring her Pattern 210 

CHAPTER XXII. 

A Continual Revival 218 

CHAPTER XXIIL 

The Watch-Meeting 225 

CHAPTER XXIV. 

Cross-Bearing 232 

CHAPTER XXV. 

The Heathen at our Door 243 


6 


CONTENTS. 


CHAPTER XXVL 

PAGE 

Pressing Toward the Mark 253 

CHAPTER XXVII. 

Telling the Story to Others 261 

CHAPTER XXVIII. 

Witnessing for jErus 269 

CHAPTER XXIX. 

Live and Love 282 

CHAPTER XXX. 

The Sunrise Prayer-Meeting 289 


CONSECRATED ANEW. 


CHAPTER I. 

A STRANGE APPOINTMENT. 

“ In thy book, O Lord, are written all those that do what they 
can, though they cannot do what they would.'^ 

T AM tlioroughly discouraged, Alice/’ said Mr. 

^ Holland, coming into the cozy living-room of 
the little parsonage, where his wife sat busy with 
her needle, her foot upon the rocker of baby 
Charlie’s crib. 

Rev. Joseph Holland had been pastor of the 
Glendale church for nearly two years, and, as it 
was not altogether a model church, this was by no 
means the first time that he had met with dis- 
couragements outside of his sunny little home. 
To-night, however, he seemed more dejected than 
usual, and sank into the easy-chair awaiting him 
with such a weary air as to frighten his cheery 
little wife. 


7 


8 


CONSECRATED ANEW, 


It is the same old story over again, I presume/’ 
she said in a sympathetic voice. Only the old 
reliables at the prayer-meeting, and, as usual, not 
enough of the young people out to organize a 
society.” 

That is the truth exactly, Alice ; and even the 
old reliables were as cold as icicles to-night. I 
never felt so completely discouraged before. For 
some reason I cannot get a hold on the hearts of 
my people. I came here expecting their assistance 
in every good work, but, instead of the loving, 
sympathetic friends I so much need, I find only 
cold-hearted critics. There must be something 
radically wrong either in myself or in my methods 
of work. Sometimes I think I made a mistake in 
choosing this field instead of the one in the far 
West. The two calls, you remember, were put 
into my hands at the same time.” 

^^Yes, Joseph, and I recollect very distinctly, 
too, that you did not decide to come to Glendale 
without praying a great deal over it.” 

thought God’s finger pointed to this field, 
but I may have been mistaken, Alice ; I may have 
been mistaken,” urged Mr. Holland. 

^^You did what you thought was right then, , 
Joseph, and I think it is your duty to leave the 


A STEAJSrGE AFFOIJVTMFNT. 


9 


results ill God’s hands/’ comforted his wife, cross- 
ing over to the chair where he sat and gently laying 
her hand on his throbbing head. In all their five 
years of married life she had never before seen him 
so completely broken in spirits, and she scarcely 
knew whether to speak or to keep silent. After a 
moment’s thought she began again : 

No pastor could have the interest of his people 
more at heart than you have, I am certain. You 
have labored faithfully ever since you came into 
their midst, and though you cannot see the fruits 
of your diligence, yet there will surely come a 
reaping-time. We have our heavenly Father’s 
own word for it : ^ He that goeth forth and weep- 
eth, bearing precious seed, shall doubtless come 
again with rejoicing, bringing his sheaves with 
him.’ I think we should believe God’s promise, 
trust him for needed grace, and go bravely forward 
in the path of duty.” 

I am convinced that you are right, Alice ; yet 
it is very hard to go on hopefully when you feel 
that you have been a complete failure,” Mr. Hol- 
land replied. 

But I do not consider you a complete failure, 
Joseph ; the church-membership has greatly in- 
creased under your care ; the new house of worship 


10 


CONSECRATED ANEW. 


has been completed and paid for, and you have the 
satisfaction of knowing that, though your salary is 
somewhat behind, the quota to the Boards of the 
Church has been raised, and the annual report to 
go up to the Assembly is one of which you have no 
reason to be ashamed/^ 

^^Yes; our church seems to be progressing in 
everything except genuine religion,^^ admitted Mr. 
Holland with slight sarcasm. There is a lack of 
spirituality among our people, and I cannot help 
thinking that I am at fault in some way. Other 
churches in the vicinity received manifold bless- 
ings during their special services last winter, but, 
though our meetings were intensely solemn, only 
the faithful few attended them, and those for whose 
special benefit the services were held were not 
reached at all.’^ 

It must be very discouraging to speak to empty 
pews, Joseph; still, you know the meetings were 
highly appreciated by those who did attend. The 
hearts of the ^faithful few^ were revived, and I am 
sure we received a great blessing in our own home 
and hearts during those precious days.’^ 

^^But there was not a single conversion, Alice, 
not one,^^ insisted Mr. Holland. 

Mr. Moody says that he would rather have ten 


A STRANGE APPOINTMENT, 


11 


revived Christians than a hundred new converts; 
and I am quite certain there were that number 
among us last winter when the meetings closed/^ 
replied Mrs. Holland hopefully. The winter was 
a very gay one, and I do not wonder your disap- 
pointment was great when, right in the midst of 
those impressive services, invitations for several 
large parties were issued.’’ 

^ It is this supreme indifference of my people that 
discourages me,” answered Mr. Holland dejectedly. 

I think I am sincere in my desire to win souls to 
Christ, and yet my congregation seems as dead and 
lifeless as if I had no heart in my work. I know 
that I am only an humble instrument in God’s 
hand — that his Spirit alone can touch these cold 
hearts that I long to see revived, but I cannot 
understand why the showers of blessings that have 
been poured out so abundantly upon other fields in 
our vicinity have failed to reach us.” ' I 

There are a great many things in God’s deal- 
ings with men that we cannot understand,” argued 
Mrs. Holland. He has endowed us all with cer- 
tain gifts, and fitted us into places designed for us, 
with the admonition to ^Occupy till I come.’ We 
will be held responsible for the employment of our 
talents, but if we are faithful in our endeavors we 


12 


CONSECRATED ANEW, 


are sure of a reward, even though we fail to ac- 
complish our purpose. The work is ours ; the 
results belong to God. Let us leave this matter 
wholly in his hand, and labor on, knowing that 
sooner or later shall come the harvest.’’ 

^ I know we have the command, ^ Let us not be 
weary in well-doing, for in due season we shall reap 
if we faint not,’ but I have learned that it is much 
easier to preach this doctrine to others than to prac- 
tice it myself.” 

It is easier to learn to labor than to wait,” said 
Mrs. Holland softly. Sometimes things look very 
dark and gloomy, but we must always bear in mind 
that we have a Friend who will never fail us. 
Christ’s heart aches wdth pity for our loneliness 
and for our disappointments. He will listen to 
what we have to tell him. He will take what we 
have to give him, however simple, however 
humble.” 

It is very little that I have to offer him,” Mr. 
Holland responded. My pastorate here has not 
been blessed as I had hoped it would be. I have not 
the sympathy of my young people, for some reason. 
Somehow I have not the hold on their hearts that 
I long to possess. I never felt this truth more 
sensibly than I did this evening, when, for the 


A STRANGE APPOINTMENT. 


13 


third time, my effort to organize a young people’s 
meeting failed so signally.” 

Then you did not accomplish the object of your 
meeting to-night?” said Mrs. Holland question- 
ingly. 

^^No; there were very few young people out, 
and even those who were there did not seem to 
take any interest in the movement,” was the an- 
swer. 

And you adjourned without electing a delegate 
to the convention at all ?” 

^^That is the thing that worries me more than* 
anything else, Alice. I had counted so much on 
sending a live, active delegate to this convention — 
one who would bring the enthusiasm of the meet- 
ing back home to us ; but I fear the choice made 
was not a wise one — was a very great mistake, a 
very great mistake indeed,” replied Mr. Holland 
reluctantly. 

^^Whom did you choose, that your disappoint- 
ment is so great?” inquired his wife with a per- 
plexed countenance. 

Helen Priest,” was the hesitating answer. 

Helen Priest !” exclaimed Mrs. Holland in as- 
tonishment. Why, I should have guessed any one 
in the church before her. How did it happen ?” 


14 


CONSECRATED ANEW. 


That is just what I would like to know myself, 
Alice. I can explain it in no way except that her 
name was the first one suggested, and of course no 
one would like to vote against her.^^ 

^^Well, she is a member of the church, said 
Mrs. Holland, with an effort to speak cheerfully. 

Her name is on the church roll, and I trust it 
is written in the Lamb’s book of life ; but she never 
has taken any part in the prayer-meeting — not so 
much even as to recite a verse of Scripture ; hence 
it is not probable that her going will be of much 
service to the young people at home.’’ 

The prospects are not very flattering, I’ll con- 
fess,” admitted Mrs. Holland. Still, she may be 
able to accomplish more than you expect. At any 
rate, she needs our prayers, Joseph, and there is no 
telling what good our heavenly Father may bring 
out of this seeming blunder. If we believe that his 
watchful eye is over all, that his loving hand is 
leading in even the most trivial matters, we must 
leave Helen in his care, trusting that he will do 
what is best both for her and the church.” 

You take a cheerful view of this trouble, Alice, 
and I am persuaded that it is the right thing to do. 
I came home with a heavy heart, as if the whole 
responsibility of sending this thoughtless young 


A STBANGB APPOINTMENT. 


15 


creature upon such au importaut mission rested 
wholly upon my shoulders. You have found the 
bright side to even this cloud, as I was sure you 
would. Let us kneel down together and pray that 
Helen may not only receive a great blessing her- 
self while away, but that her going may bring a 
blessing to those of us who remain at home.’^ 


CHAPTER II. 

MISUNDERSTOOD, 

O God, that men would see a little clearer, 

Or judge less harshly when they cannot see ! 

O God, that men might draw a little nearer 
To one another ! They^d be nearer thee. 

And understood.” 

^HE pastor of the Glendale church voiced the 
^ sentiment of his people generally when he ex- 
pressed his disappointment at the delegate chosen 
to the Chicago convention. The young folks smiled 
incredulously, while the older ones were indignant 
at the blunder that sent a young, giddy creature 
like Helen Priest as a representative to a conven- 
tion composed of the most consecrated young people 
in the country. They asked meaningly, Of what 
account will she be among those live, earnest young 
people, except to answer to her name? No more 
foolish choice could possibly have been- made.^^ 
Helen was surprised at the result herself, and she 
realized as fully as any other one that even the in- 
active Christian young people of Glendale would 
16 


MIS UNDERSTO OD, 


17 


not be honored by such a representative. Still, she 
was a little vain of the preference shown her, and, 
even before she left the church that night, had 
determined that she would surprise those who had 
conferred the distinction on her by bringing back 
a very full report of the convention. 

I am glad that Helen has a chance, at last, of 
working off some of her surplus religion,’^ said her 
older brother Philip, with a touch of irony, after 
the appointment had been discussed at the break- 
fast-table the next morning. 

If I were as irreverent as you are, Phil, I 
would not set myself up as a critic on such sub- 
jects,’^ retorted Helen, the hot blood mounting to 
her cheeks. ^‘You are simply unbearable.” 

I do not profess to be better than other people,” 
returned Phil a little sharply; ^^if I did, I would 
make a desperate effort to exhibit a more consistent 
j)attern than some patterns I might specify.” 

^^That will do, Philip,” said his father sternly. 
‘‘ Consistency is a jewel, wherever found ; but most 
people are better at applying its rules to their neigh- 
bors’ lives than to their own.” 

Though a very fond father. Dr. Priest’s tone was 
usually a little sharp when speaking to Phil. The 

truth is, he was sadly disappointed in the boy. He 
2 


18 


CONSECRATED ANEW. 


had been a remarkably bright child, and his early 
youth had promised a brilliant future; but the 
warm-hearted, impulsive boy had been led astray 
by evil associates, until, in these latter days, he had 
become a sorrow even to his own family. As he 
said, he made no professions to anything good, and 
nothing seemed to give him more genuine satisfac- 
tion than to discover flaws in the lives of those who 
had confessed Christ. This was particularly true 
in reference to his sister Helen, whose character 
had not been specially improved by the new life 
upon which she had entered. Usually, her retorts 
were quite as severe as her brother’s criticisms, but 
this morning, after her first outburst of temper, she 
maintained a discreet silence, in consequence of 
which the controversy was dropped. 

The morning she started to the convention, Mr. 
Holland went down to the station to see her off. 
Several of her young associates were there also, and 
they kept up such a merry chatter that it was almost 
train-time before the anxious pastor found an oppor- 
tunity of speaking a few earnest words to the young 
girl, who really seemed to evade him. 

Try to bring some of the inspiration of the 
meeting home with you, Helen,” he said as he 
grasped her hand at parting. We hope for a 


MIS UNDERSTOOD. 


19 


great blessing from your going. If you feel dis- 
couraged or oppressed by the weight of the re- 
sponsibility thrust upon you^ remember that we are 
praying for you in the parsonage, and look up for 
needed strength. 

Helen wondered what made him take so solemn 
a view of such a trivial matter; but, regardless of 
her apparent lightness, his earnestness impressed 
her deeply, and, long after the train had passed be- 
yond the familiar scenes of Glendale, his troubled 
face perplexed and annoyed her. 

The first part of the journey was rather monoto- 
nous, but the day was beautiful, and soon the 
brightness outside, the blue sky above and the 
green fields bedecked with flowers attracted her 
attention and put her on better terms wdth herself 
and all around her. 

The seat before Helen in the car was occupied by 
a poorly-clad woman and her little son, a boy of 
about ten years of age. The child seemed to be 
very ill, and from bits of their conversation that 
reached her ears she learned that Willie was a 
])atient from the ^^Consumptives’ Hospital” in Cin- 
cinnati, and that he w’as now going home on a 
short visit. 

‘^Fred will be waitin’ for us with a buggy when 


20 


CONSECRATED ANEW, 


we git to the station, sonny, the mother said hope- 
fully when the little fellow became restless. ^Mle’ll 
have figs and bananas waitin’ for you at home, too, 
Willie.” 

‘‘ Won’t it be nice, mammy?” answered the little 
fellow with a weak voice. I ’spec’ I won’t have to 
go back to the hospittle any more. Them goodies 
will cure me,” he broke oflF with a fit of coughing. 

The poor mother gave him some simple remedy 
she had at hand, and as soon as the little fellow 
could speak again he said with a thrill of gladness. 
Wouldn’t Jim’s eyes stick out big if he could 
see them white grapes and oraiiges the lady gave 
me? Dan would a’most go crazy over ’em, too. 
They don’t have things like ’em in the hospittle, 
do they, mammy?” 

^^No, indeed,” replied the mother with tears in 
her eyes. The green country is the best place for 
sick boys, only they can’t get the medicine, you 
know.” 

Helen could not shut out the pathetic words, no 
matter how hard she tried, and, inexperienced as 
she was, she knew it was too late for even the green 
fields or the country air to be of any benefit to the 
little pale-faced boy who was evidently in the last 
stage of consumption. 


MISUNDERSTOOD, 


21 


In strange contrast to the two before her, on the 
other side of the car was another pair that attract- 
ed Helen’s attention. There were two fashionably 
dressed young ladies, returning, as she supposed, 
from a shopping excursion to the city. They 
laughed and chatted in a giddy, school-girl fashion, 
as if no thought of sickness or trouble ever came 
into their thoughts or lives. 

^^Butterflies of fashion!” Helen whispered, and 
then she very unkindly indulged in a mental picture 
of their idle, self-centered lives, and thought what 
a contrast they presented to the poor distressed crea- 
tures in front of her. Just then the little child’s 
chatter ceased, and, as he began to show signs of 
extreme weakness, the mother became somewhat 
excited, and tried in a loving voice to arouse him 
from his stupor. Then it was that the more lively 
of the two girls, noticing the anxiety of the poor 
mother, proffered a helping hand. Crossing the 
aisle, she bowed and smiled, and then with deft 
fingers arranged the pillows for the tired little 
head. She inquired kindly about the child’s 
health, and from her own dainty lunch-basket 
brought something delicate to tempt the little one’s 
appetite. 

Willie soon rallied, and then the young lady 


22 


CONSECRATED ANEW, 


took the weary mother’s place, arid for a full hour 
amused the sick child, showing him bright pictures 
in a new book she had bouglit for her little sister, 
and telling him beautiful stories. Helen could not 
help listening, as, in the sweetest accents, she told 
and, at the child’s request, retold the story of the 
Child born in the manger, cradled in the hay, who, 
after living a perfect life, died upon the cross — died 
that his enemies might live. As the train neared 
the station where he was to leave it, Helen noticed 
the young girl slip a piece of money into the little 
fellow’s hand, with instructions to buy something 
nice for himself when he reached home. 

Oh, look, mammy ! do look what the beautiful 
lady left me — a whole big bright new silver dol- 
lar, all my own !” cried Willie, holding up the 
shining piece to attract his mother’s attention. 

The poor woman smiled and nodded her thanks 
through her tears, and then the brown-eyed, dainty 
creature in blue silk flitted back to her friend, who 
had been looking on in surprise. 

Just then a sharp cry of alarm from the poor 
mother drew Helen’s attention. In her arms she 
held her boy, who seemed to have fainted away. 
He looked so white and death-like that Helen was 
afraid to go near her or offer her assistance; but 


MIS UNDERSTO OD. 


23 


her butterfly of fashion had no such scruples, for 
in an instant she was at the poor woman’s side, help- 
ful and sympathetic. 

At her suggestion the little one was laid upon 
the seat and restoratives were applied to bring back 
the color to his cheeks; but even then the death- 
hue was settling down upon the white pinched face, 
and all the efforts to revive the child were in vain. 
Many kind-hearted people were ready then to lend 
a helping hand, but, like Helen, they did not seem 
to know what to do. 

It was the sweet-voiced young ^ lady who now 
knelt by the little one’s side and in a tender voice 
told him again of the dear Saviour who had died 
for sinners, and who had promised to gather the 
lambs in his arms and carry them in his bosom. 
It was this same butterfly of fashion” that loos- 
ened the clothing from about the child’s breast and 
with her own dainty handkerchief wiped the death- 
damp from his white brow. And when a doctor 
who chanced to be on the train made an examina- 
tion of the still form and gravely said, ^^Ile is 
gone,” it was she who held the weeping mother’s 
hand and soothed and calmed her grief, her own 
eyes moist with sympathy. There was little else 
that could be done, except to tenderly cover the 


24 


CONSECRATED ANEW. 


little form and sit down in silence by the bereaved 
mother, whose grief, though not demonstrative, 
was deep. 

At last, when the train drew up at the station 
where the living brother was to be waiting with a 
buggy, and all that was mortal of the precious child 
was borne out of the train, this young lady, her 
arm locked in that of the heart-broken mother, 
followed. 

The poor woman is alone, Anna,’’ she said in a 
low voice to the young girl whose seat she had 
shared before going to the assistance of the dis- 
tressed mother. will stop off with her, and 

follow on the next train. I hope I shall be in 
time for the opening session of the convention.” 

^^She is a delegate like myself,” mused Helen. 

No, not like me,” she corrected as she reviewed 
the lesson in sweet charity and self-forgetfulness 
which the young girl had unconsciously taught 
her. 

As the train sped onward that bright May morn- 
ing other lips than Helen Priest’s murmured, God 
bless her noble, loving heart,'” and into other lives 
than Helen’s came the sweet influence of her Christly 
ministry, 

A few stations farther on, at the Chicago June- 


MIS UN D ERST 0 OD. 


25 


tion, quite a number of young people from different 
points, on their way to the convention, came into the 
car where tielen was. They were liappy, social 
young folks, and without any formalities took her 
and the young girl on the other side of the car into 
tlie charmed circle; and while Helen wondered at 
the enthusiasm with which they spoke of the pros- 
pective meeting, she was delighted with their cor- 
diality, and really enjoyed the remaining part of 
what had promised to be a tedious journey. 

Just after Helen stepped from the train the 
tiniest of little women grasped her hand, and a 
sweet young voice welcomed her by exclaiming. 
You are Helen Priest, I am sure. I knew you 
by Mr. HollaiuVs description of you. You are to 
be my guest during the convention, and I cannot 
tell you how welcome you are. I am Grace Wil- 
lard. I was afraid you would disappoint me at 
the last moment. I am expecting another lady on 
this train — Miss Pose Stephens — and I must ask 
you to excuse me while I go to look her up.’^ 
She will not be here till the next train,^^ an- 
swered Anna Hayes, the other young lady who 
had occupied the seat with Helen’s . butterfly of 
fashion.” You know, Grace, Rose’s feelings al- 
ways run away with her judgment, and nothing 


26 


CONSECRATED ANEW. 


would do her but she must stop off at a little way- 
station with a lady, a perfect stranger, whose little 
boy died on the train 

^^Dear, good Rose ! that is just like her. I am 
glad she was so thoughtful, though I am disap- 
j)ointed. — We need not wait for her, then ; so come 
right along,^^ addressing Helen. The train is be- 
hind time, and dinner will be waiting.’^ 

With this greeting the young girl led her guest 
to the carriage, and the next moment they were 
whirling along the street. With eyes and ears filled 
Muth bewildering sights and sounds, Helen was 
finally deposited before a stately brown-stone front 
all aglow with the rays of the setting sun. A sense 
of awe mingled with loneliness and terror took pos- 
session of Helen’s throbbing heart when she was 
ushered into the brilliantly lighted hall, but the 
cordial welcome extended to her by Mr. and Mrs. 
Willard dispelled her fears in a moment, and with 
her new friend’s arm around her she went up stairs 
to prepare for dinner. 

am going to take you right into my own 
room,” said Grace brightly. Mother thought I 
ought to put you in a stately spare-room, but I like 
my own little place the best, and I want to get well 
acquainted with you. Rose will room with Natalie, 


MISUNDERSTOOD. 


27 


as they were friends at school ; and as Natalie is an 
invalid now, I could not think of depriving her of 
the treat she has been counting on ever since we 
knew Rose was a delegate. This is our room, and 
I do want you to feel at home in it.’’ 

Such a gem of a room as that into which Helen 
was ushered she had never before seen. For once 
her love of beauty promised to be fully gratified. 
An eager glance around her took in all the charm- 
ing little details of the wonderful place, and then 
she gave her undivided attention to her bewitching 
hostess, who had already captured her heart. 

At the dinner-table Helen was introduced to 
Natalie, the elder daughter, a delicate girl with a 
sweet face and gentle manners, and to Jack, the 
"only son, a young man of unexceptionable habits 
and already a member of the firm of which his 
father was the senior partner. They were all so 
pleasant, and did so much to make her feel at home, 
that long before she had finished her dinner all her 
reserve and shyness had vanished. 

Two hours later Rose Stephens arrived, and to- 
gether the four girls went to the opening session 
of the convention. 


CHAPTER III. 


A NEW EXPERIENCE. 

He guided by paths that I could not see, 

, By ways that I have not known ; 

The crooked was straight and the rough made plain 
As I followed the Lord alone. 

I praise him still for the pleasant palms 
And the water-springs by the way ; 

For the glowing pillars of flame by night, 

And the sheltering cloud by day.’^ 

TTELEN had never attended a Christian En- 
deavor convention — or, indeed, a convention 
of any kind — before, and expected this one to be 
exceedingly dry and uninteresting; but, from the 
time that she entered the great hall where its open- 
ing session was held until the closing consecration 
hour, there was not a more attentive, interested 
member in the whole assembly than giddy, thought- 
less Helen Priest.* Three years previous, when 
scarcely fifteen years of age, she had stood up in 
the church, with a score of her young companions, 

and taken a very solemn vow upon herself. She 

28 


A KEW EXPERIENCE. 


29 


thought then that slie loved the Saviour, and had 
promised to give herself unreservedly to him; but 
now, looking backward over the fruitless days and 
months and years that had elapsed since that mem- 
orable Sabbath morning, she could not think of a 
single thing that she had done out of simple love 
to Jesus. A long list of broken promises and un- 
fulfilled vows seemed to be rising up in judgment 
against her. As she sat there listening intently to 
the brief, terse, yet interesting reports of various 
young people’s societies in other parts of the 
Church, some of them read by girls no older than 
herself, her thoughts went back to her discouraged 
pastor and the indifferent young people at home; 
and for the first time in her life she realized some- 
thing of the responsibility of individuid influence. 
Instead of trying to uphold the liands of their pas- 
tor, the young people at Glendale had proved posi- 
tive hindrances in the work of the Master. With 
her conscience thoroughly aroused, her own course 
came in for impartial criticism. How often had 
she denied Christ by sitting with closed lips when 
she might have testified concerning his goodness to 
her! Could it be possible that she had been mis- 
taken all these years — that she had only a name to 
live, and yet was dead ? Her Lord had said, Ye 


CONSECRATED A^NEW, 


30 

are my witnesses/^ and all over the house young 
voices were testifying for him, but what had slie 
ever said or done as a witness-bearer? 

An old minister who had been an attentive 
listener rose at the close of the testimony meeting 
and, with tears in his eyes, said, I am glad that 
we have learned to appreciate and use the power 
there is in consecrated Christian young manhood 
and womanhood. Oh, yes, and consecrated Chris- 
tian childhood, too. God bless the young working 
force in the Church to-day 

Another pastor, whose young people had not 
fallen into line with these young workers, said, 
\ I cono^ratulate the brothers who have bands of 
earnest young people gathered around them to stay 
up their hands by co-operating and sustaining them 
in their work of winning souls. I will confess that 
heretofore I have been somewhat skeptical concern- 
ing the, wisdom of this young people’s movement. 
I thought the enthusiasm would soon die out, and 
so bring deadness instead of life. But since I 
came into this convention I have changed my 
views. I am now fully convinced that there is 
something in it beyond all human planning, ‘and 
that the Lord, having added his blessing, has 
thereby given abundant proof of his acceptance 


A NEW EXPERIENCE. 


31 


of the work of consecrated young manhood and 
womanhood.” 

One wlio had spent much time in working among 
the young people in his own and other churches 
testified in favor of the new element that had been 
introduced into the Christiao work of the day. 

“ This has been called the young people’s age, and 
truly,” he remarked, by way of introduction. 

“ Never before has there been among them such a 
well-planned, healthful and elfective movement. 
The head is made to serve the heart, and the heart 
the head, and physical powers serve both. But 
though the young people have taken fast hold of 
the work of this decade, there is no disposition 
among them to monopolize it. Gray hair is rever- 
enced, and experience is at a premium. The coun- 
sel of the fathers is in demand more than ever 
before. If you find here and there a society with 
a tendency to crowd the old people out, rest as- 
sured that those young people have mistaken 
egotism for enthusiasm, and pray for their con- 
version. Do not take them as samples of our 
earnest working forces, composed of loyal, true- 
hearted, consecrated young men and women. Let 
n>e assure you, too, that tlie wild-oats theory in 
regard to training the young lias been exjiloded. 


32 


CONSECRATED ANEW. 


The very best of our workers now admit that the 
way to save boys and girls is to train them up for 
Cliristiau work — to teach them from tlieir earliest 
childhood that they are responsible beings, and 
that they belong soul and body to God. They are 
to grow up Christians, not to live in sin for a 
while, and then be rescued by a great revival. 
Special revivals are all right, and very necessary 
in their place, but the children of the Church 
should not be left to this agency. They should be 
won for Christ in their childhood, and reared 
withiu the fold as members of his family. Con- 
viction and conversion are not believed in less than 
formerly, but the necessity of Christian nurture and 
culture is more emphasized in these latter days. 
The Church now realizes the importance of hold- 
ing the young in its warm embrace, and it has 
found out by blessed experience that the most 
effective method of doing this is to bind them to- 
gether for Christian sympathy and work.^^ ^ 

As the earnest young pastor finished speaking 
an active, middle-aged man who had been super- 
intendent of the same Sabbath-school for a quarter 
of a century rose and said, 

I wish to speak a few words on the subject of 
crowding out the old people, to which reference has 


A NEW EXPERIENCE. 


33 


been made. While danger from that source is to 
be apprehended in some places, I am convinced 
that, as a rule, the young folks show great respect 
for their elders. There is something radically 
wrong when the fathers and the mothers, and the 
officers of the church, even, have reason to com- 
plain that their places have been usurped by the 
members of a society with an aim and an object 
such as designates our Christian young people of 
to-day, no matter by what name they may be 
called. Sometimes this trouble arises with the old 
people themselves. It is a cross for them to take 
part in the general prayer-meeting, and they fall 
out of their own accord, and then feel hurt because 
they imagine the young folks have crowded them 
out. There is work enough for all to do, and 
when old and young begin to realize as they should 
the importance of winning souls to Christ, there 
will be no time to waste in striving for the mas- 
tery. To the young people assembled here I wish 
to say. There is no misunderstanding your relation 
to the older people, and to the Church as well. 
Your duty to serve your Church is just as great as 
your Church’s duty to serve you. Try to fill the 
place that God has assigned you, but do not try to 
fill the whole earth, lest you jostle others out of their 

3 


34 


CONSECRATED ANEW. 


places. Be earnest, but be modest. Push ahead, 
but heed advice. Avoid everything that might 
have a tendency to provoke jealousies between 
yourselves and your seniors, remembering ever 
that ^ One is your Master, even Christ, and all ye 
are brethren.^ 

The next speaker, an old father in the Churcli, 
one of those rare old men who carry a young heart 
in an old body, expressed his convictions in this way ; 

feel that in this marshaling of the young 
hosts of the Church a pressing need has been met. 
There was an aching void between the Church and 
Sabbath-school, which, by the grace of God, the 
young people’s societies have filled. Our part in 
evangelizing America and the world will be easier 
and will be better performed because of the assist- 
ance that has come to^us from our Christian young, 
people. Let us thank God and take courage.” 

Jack Willard’s suggestion to leaders was, 

^^Make the prayer-meeting you lead the third 
over which you have presided during the week. 
The first, in the committee-room with the prayer- 
meeting committee ; the second, in the privacy of 
your own room, alone with God. Then you are 
ready for the third, in the place of meeting, with 
the young people about you.” 


A JVFW EXPERIENCE. 


35 


Dr. Hurst — always delightful to listen to — spoke 
a few words to the young people upon their motto 
for the coming year : Not to be ministered unto, 
but to minister/^ and at the close of his brief talk 
he said, 

If 'every Christian in this land would win just 
one soul for Christ this year, what a mighty host 
would journey heavenward together ! How many 
can we bring to Christ this year?’^ he asked, and 
to his earnest plea of America for Christ’^ the 
convention responded unanimously by an emphatic 
Amen.^^ 

A young minister whose church had been blessed 
through the young people’s society said with much 
feeling, 

want to tell you the story of our wonderful 
revival. Its origin dates back of the organization, 
and proves that God is a prayer-hearing and a 
prayer-answering God just as he was in the old 
days of which we read. In a little upper room in 
the Easterbrook parsonage a band of devoted 
mothers, numbering only three at first, met together 
to pray for the outpouring of the Spirit, especially 
on their own sons and daughters. Though the 
number that joined in the little prayer-service was 
small, tlierc were always enough present to claim the 


36 


CONSECRATED ANEW. 


promise, ^ Where two or three are met together in 
my name, there am I in the midst of them/ The 
two or three, the ten or twelve wliicli met together 
did agree touching what they would ask, and they 
had the faith to wait for the promise of the Father, 
believing that he who had promised was able also 
to .fulfill, and in the end they received the blessing 
sought — consecrated sons and daughters. These 
cliildren of praying mothers, banded together as 
followers of the Master, have been the means, in 
God’s hands, of bringing many unsaved souls into 
Christ’s kingdom. The evening they organized, 
they asked Jesus to be one of their number — to 
come into their midst and abide with them con- 
tinually, and from the blessed results that have fol- 
lowed them in their efforts at soul-winning I am 
sure he accepted the invitation. There is nothing 
like keeping near to Christ while we preach him 
to others. An eminent writer lias said, ‘ I like the 
Bible folded between lids of cloth, of calf-skin or 
morocco, but I like it better when in the shape of a 
man it goes out into the world — a Bible illustrated.’ 
This is one way in which we should all carry the 
Bible about with us. No argument or persuasion 
can compete with a Christly life in this great mat- 
ter of saving souls. I hope our young people in all 


A NEW EXPERIENCE, 


37 


their relations will constantly keep the perfect Pat- 
tern in view. ^Follow me/ says Jesus, ^and I will 
make you fishers of men.' Every day of my life 
I bless the Lord for this organization of young 
people in the Church, and in my own congregation 
particularly.’^ 

The consecration meeting, which occupied the 
closing hour of the last night’s session, was the 
most impressive service of the entire convention. 
The young leader was enthusiastic, and the whole 
audience seemed to catch his spirit, and rose in a 
body when he asked the question, Who is willing 
to consecrate his service this day unto the Lord?” 
They stood for a few minutes in perfect silence, and 
then, in a voice deep with emotion, a young man 
prayed, Blessed Master, w^e beseech thee to accept 
the service of this hour. Help every one who has 
taken this solemn vow to fulfill it.” A moment 
more of silent prayer, and then some one began 
to sing, 

“ Consecrate me now to thy service, Lord, 

By the power of grace divine ; y 
Let my soul look up with a steadfast hope, 

And my will be lost in thine.’’ 

I can give you no conception of the remainder of 


38 


CONSECRATED ANEW, 


that precious closing hour. Every minute was 
crowded full of consecration vows and prayers and 
testimonies, and the eagerness with which the young 
people entered into the service was a convincing 
evidence of the genuineness of the vows they had 
so recently renewed. 

Before closing, the president said, 

^^If there are any young people, or old people 
with young hearts, here to-night who wish to join 
our organization before we go, let them rise at 
once.’^ 

Without hesitation thirty-three young men and 
women accepted the invitation, and then, after a 
brief prayer that they might all be kept safe in the 
hollow of God^s hand until they should meet around 
the great white throne above, they clasped hands 
and joined in singing 

“ God be with you till we meet again ! 

By his counsels guide, uphold you, 

With his sheep securely fold you ; 

God be with you till we meet again !” 

The benediction followed, and then came hand- 
shakings and farewells. The convention was over, 
and with it parting words of stranger-friends who 
would meet no more on earth. 


A JVUiV EXPERIENCE, 


39 


It would be hard to tell just what particular part 
of the convention Helen enjoyed the most. From 
beginning to end it was a revelation to her. The 
key-note of the entire meeting seemed to be near- 
ness to Christ/^ and when, during this parting hour, 
the leader said with much tenderness, There is 
nothing for which I wish more earnestly than to 
be able to say, with all my heart, ^ For me to live 
is Christ,’ Helen bowed her head and fervently 
prayed that the wish just expressed might be her 
own; and from the spirit which she carried back 
to Glendale I think her petition was abundantly 
answered. 


« 


CHAPTER IV. 


NEW PURPOSES FORMED. 


^ Any little corner, Lord, 

In thy kingdom wide. 

Where thou bidd’st me work for thee. 
There would I abide. 

Miracle of saving grace 
That thou granted me a place 
Anywhere.’’ 

E must not home and sit down selfisl 



^ ^ to enjoy 'the good things we have received 
here/^ said a young man, addressing a group of 
delegates who were exchanging experiences at the 
close of the convention. Heretofore I have been 
a clog in the young people^s meeting at home — 
a positive hindrance to my pastor in every rela- 
tion connected with the church ; but I am going 
home now to go to work. I came here sound 
asleep, but I have been thoroughly aroused — in 
fact, I never was so wide awake before, and I want 
to tell the good news to the people at home before 
my enthusiasm begins to die out.’^ 


40 


NEW PURPOSES FORMED. 


41 


“ You must not let it die out at all,” responded 
a voung minister Avho had taken an active part in 
the consecration service just closed. 

"How can I help it?” inquired the first speaker 
anxiously. “ If I could only live in the atmosphere 
I have been breathing here for the last four days, 
all would be well ; but when I go back to the com- 
mon duties of life — when I come in contact with 
people who have not caught the inspiration of these 
blessed meetings — I am afraid that I will grow cold 
and careless again.” 

“ Your only safety lies in keeping near Christ, 
abiding with him. If you can enter into the com- 
pany of Christ and live there, then your unknown 
possibilities will open to you, and in the light of 
those unseen possibilities you shall be able to despise 
and escape from the base things that cling to you. 
Do you not remember how Jesus went about ‘ snap- 
ping this chain and that chain ’ among the sons of 
men whom his life touched ? Nicodemus, the creed- 
bound Pharisee, went away from him a faith-clad 
man ; and when he touched the poor Magdalene, 
he lifted her up, free not only from demons but 
from the tyi’anny of her deep sadness so that by and 
by she ‘ ministered unto him and stood by him at 
the cross.* He came to twelve plain men, and, 


42 


CONSECRATED ANEW. 


touching their lives, made them apostles of the new 
redemption. He is just as powerful to-day as he 
was while on earth more than eighteen hundred 
years ago, and he is just as ready to go with you 
and abide with you now as he was on that evening 
after his resurrection, when, at the request of his 
disciples, he went in to tarry with them at Em- 
maus. Make him an abiding-place in your heart, 
and when you go home, try to infuse something 
of your warmth into the lives of your lukewarm 
companions.^^ 

If I could only keep near Jesus ; but I am so 
weak,^^ replied the young man soberly. I never 
realized my utter helplessness so fully before.^^ 

Then you are stronger than you ever were before, 
and through Christ you can do greater things — all 
things. God always has an angel of help for those 
who are willing to do their duty,^^ was the quiet reply 
of the minister. 

I have learned a very important lesson on indi- 
vidual responsibility since I came here,’^ ventured 
Helen, almost in a whisper. 

Every life is an intense reality,’’ replied a young 
lady at her side. There are no moral blanks in 
this existence of ours. We are either the sower 
who sows and corrupts, or the light that always 


NEW PURPOSES FORMED, 


43 


illuminates and the salt that silently operates ; dead 
or alive, every one of us speaks/^ 

Let each of us see that the speaking of our own 
individual life gives out no uncertain sound for the 
Master whose we are and whom we serve/^ urged 
the young minister. 

Another thing which has been impressed upon 
my mind during these meetings is the necessity of 
doing the work around us, instead of reaching out 
beyond our limits or waiting for greater oppor- 
tunities that may never come within our grasp,’’ 
replied the young lady modestly. Some one has 
said, ^ Don’t take up everything. The Lord sel- 
dom gives one great outside mission ; he never gives 
half a dozen at a time.’ 

If the spirit of Christ be ours, if our personality 
be charged with the electric potency of love, we 
shall make for ourselves a place in God’s world — 
a place the altitude of which shall not be measured 
in numbers ; for when we are able to comprehend 
the breadth and length and height of the love of 
Christ, which passeth knowledge, we shall know 
the stature of that manhood or womanhood which 
is filled and moved by that love. Let us, my 
brother, my sister, measure ourselves by the Cross 
to-day. We can do a deed to God only by doing 


44 


CONSECRATED ANEW. 


that deed /or him — only by offering ours as the 
hands with which it shall be done. Our human 
love for one another, and all our human help, is 
not less his for being ours. ^ God’s tender mercy’ 
is the name in heaven for what we call on earth 
^a drink of cold water.’ There are many drinks 
of water to be given in his name here on earth, and 
why may not your hand or mine minister to those 
in need?” 

No matter how humble our position in life may 
be, there is no reason why our living should not be 
a success,” said Rose Stephens, Helen’s railroad ac- 
quaintance ; and Helen was not the only one who 
felt that her own living had most certainly been a 
success. 

It was Grace Willard who, after a long pause, 
answered sweetly, 

^^Much that neither the world nor Church so 
calls is success. Doing one’s duty without ques- 
tioning why or wherefore of the command given is 
right, and therefore a success. A workman carving 
part of a floral design on a stone for a great build- 
ing was asked by a passer-by, ^ Where is this stone 
to be put, and w^hat will be Hhe design when com- 
pleted?’ 

^ I don’t know,’ was the reply. ^ My business 


NEW PURPOSES FORMED. 


45 


is to transfer this pattern to this stone; the master- 
workman knows the rest/ He was doing the work 
assigned him^ and that was success. If we cheer- 
fully and patiently go on performing our Father’s 
commands simply because know it to be our 
duty, no matter if we do not understand why the 
work is to be done or where the great Architect 
may see fit to place our part in the great building 
of human life, we will be successful.” 

•^Any soul may have the friendship of Christ, 
and may receive his assistance in any work under- 
taken,” remarked the young minister thoughtfully. 

While we talk with him and he with us he will 
teach us the mysteries of his beautiful earth-life, 
the blessed open secret that he would make known 
to the whole world — ^ not to be ministered unto, 
but to minister.’ Filled with his spirit, we will 
not be satisfied until we have told the sweet story 
of redeeming love to others. When we set wide 
open the doors of our hearts, that he may enter, we 
shall catch from his presence a glimpse of the pos- 
sible rapture of living. Whenever we can say 
from the heart truly, ^For me to live is Christ,’ 
we shall know in a measure what that peace that 
passeth understanding means. Having decided for 
Christ, let us stand up for him wlierever we may go.” 


46 


CONSECRATED ANEW. 


We are not only to stand up for him at all 
times, but we must keep moving forward con- 
tinually in his name. In order to reach our Fa- 
ther’s house on high we may be compelled to sail 
sometimes against the wind as well as with it; but, 
come what n^ay, we must sail, not drift nor lie at 
anchor,” said Rose Stephens quietly. 

And we must not only keep sailing ourselves, 
but we must encourage others to put their hands to 
the oars and help bring the life-boat into port,” 
added the young minister. No one is too small 
or too insignificant to do a little in the Master’s 
vineyard.” 

Even the smallest fragment missing from the 
Florentine mosaic would mar the beautiful design, 
fair enough in its completeness to adorn a palace 
and delight a king. So the pattern of our life is 
disfigured and dishonored when we evade or slight 
any work that God has planned that we shall 
do,” said Grace Willard thoughtfully. ^^We are 
all familiar with the legend of ‘ The Boy and the 
Angel’ — how the boy, working at his humble trade, 
and thus honoring God with his faithfulness to 
duty, wins , the heart of the angel, who helps the 
boy to realize his desire to praise God in a holier, 
higher way, even as a pope. That the boy’s work 


NEW PURPOSES FORMED. 


47 


may not be neglected as he toils upward, the angel 
takes his place at the bench. But he soon learns 
that not even an angel can fill the boy’s place and 
give God the praise of the boy’s humble, faithful 
service, and so another pope is sent to Rome, and 
the boy goes back with a happy heart to his lowly 
work, to give the praise without which heaven’s 
music had been incomplete and God’s design un- 
fulfilled. Thus it is with us. The work which 
Providence assigns us, no matter how humble it 
may be in the eyes of the world, attains to the dig- 
nity and glory of a service that cannot be performed 
even by the angels in heaven.” 

Oh yes ; there is nothing too small to be well 
done,” said the young minister. There is an old 
cobbler in my church who understands this point, 
and, ignorant as he is, he not long ago taught me a 
much-needed lesson on how to succeed. He owns a 
little shoe-shop on a back street in the small village, 
and always seems happy and contented. Meeting 
him alone one morning, I said, ‘ My friend, I would 
not think so small a business as mending shoes 
would pay in a little hamlet like this.’ 

‘ Oh,’ said he, ‘ old Cato has the monopoly of 
shoe-mending in this region. No one else gets a 
job.’ 


48 


CONSECRATED ANEW. 


^ How is that, Cato?^ I asked. 

‘^^Just so, master/ replied Cato. ^It is only 
little patches put on with little stitches or tiny 
pegs ; but when I takes a stitch, it is a stitch ; and 
when I drives a peg, it holds.’ 

^ Little things well done,’ I muttered as I rode 
on; kittle things well done.’ And many a sermon 
have I preached from that self-same text, since one 
of the very first things that a young Christian has 
to learn is faithfulness in little things. ^ Thou hast 
been faithful over a few things : I will make thee 
ruler over many things,’ was spoken for all times, 
and refers to workers to-day just as it did to the 
faithful of nearly twenty centuries ago. Let us all 
be faithful unto death, that we may receive the 
crown of life; then, if we never meet again on 
earth, we shall be reunited in that home beyond the 
skies,” he added as the group of earnest listeners 
separated. 

During her four days’ attendance upon the con- 
vention Helen met a great many pleasant people, 
but no one made a more favorable impression upon 
her, or gained a more lasting place in her warm 
heart, than sweet Lose Stephens. The tenderness 
and sympathy that endeared her to stranger-hearts 
that day on the train were only parts of her every- 


NEW PURPOSES FORMED. 


49 


day life, and it was her beautiful living, not the 
profession she made, that gave her a name and a 
place among the meek and lowly followers of 
Jesus. 

Helen eould never be just the same girl after 
that visit. She felt that in the future she must be 
more gentle, more patient, more considerate of 
others, and that this insight into the lives of people 
in different stations of life would make her more 
generous toward their faults and foibles and more 
appreciative of their graces. 

4 


CHAPTER V. 

TAKING UP THE CROSS. 

*‘0h, to be nothing, nothing, 

Only to lie at his feet, 

A broken and empty vessel, 

For the Master’s service meet.’^ 



HILE attending the convention Helen felt 


^ ^ that it would be a privilege instead of a task, 
to report the precious meeting to the waiting people 
at home, who evidently expected so little of her ; 
but back again among them, with none of the gra- 
cious, uplifting influences that pervaded the services 
of the convention to sustain her, she began to feel 
her weakness very sensibly. The cross seemed too 
heavy for her to bear, and yet the prayer of her 
heart still was that she might be able to say with 
her whole soul, For me to live is Christ.’^ She 
felt that she must get nearer to him, that his 
strength must be made perfect in her weakness, 
before she could go forward in known duty. 

^^Oh, if I could only go to him, if I could see 
him, and feel the touch of his hand, and hear his 


50 


TAKING UP THE CROSS, 


51 


tender voice, and know certainly that he cares for 
me, things would be so ditferent V’ she cried in her 
distress. In her perplexity she opened her Bible 
at random, and the first verse that her eyes fell 
upon brought her strange comfort. It was this : 

Have I been so long time with you, and yet hast 
thou not known me, Philip?’^ She had repeated 
those same words a hundred times before, but that 
morning they came to her with an' altogether new 
meaning. She felt that tlie Master had come to 
her instead of to Philip with the searching ques- 
tion, and she re-read the precious words, substi- 
tuting her own name, Helen, for Philip. This 
seemed to make the question so much more per- 
sonal, and to bring her nearer to the blessed Sa- 
viour. Never before had she realized his presence 
so fully, and, laying her hand in his, she asked to 
be led in whatever path he might choose. She 
thought, poor child ! that she had made a complete 
surrender of her will to him ; but Sabbath evening, 
when, according to arrangement, she rose in the 
church to give her report, she discovered that there 
was still much of the old nature to overcome, still 
much of Helen Priest in the heart she had prayed 
to have emptied of self, that it might be filled with 
Christ. At first her voice trembled perceptibly, 


52 


CONSECRATED ANEW. 


and her eyes grew so dim that she could scarcely 
distinguish the curious faces before her; but with 
a silent petition for assistance she went on bravely, 
gathering new strength and new courage as they 
were needed. After giving a brief but very en- 
thusiastic account of the workings of the conven- 
tion, she said : 

I can never thank you enough for sending me 
to Chicago. This trip has proved the most blessed 
experience of my life. I only wish that you all could 
have enjoyed the privileges that were mine, for 
I cannot do justice to those precious meetings in my 
report. One cannot enter into the spirit that per- 
vaded that assembly without coming in contact 
with the earnest, consecrated young lives that made 
it what it was. Before the close of the first session 
I realized that I was out of place among those live, 
active workers. I was not in tune with Jesus, and 
consequently could not strike the high, clear chords 
that sounded the key-note of the convention. For 
three years I had been a professed follower of the 
blessed Master, but, looking backward over these 
empty years, I could not help feeling that they had 
been years of constant denial of Jesus, and, like 
Peter, I felt the Saviour’s reproving eyes fixed 
compassionately upon me. You all know what a 


TAKING UP THE CROSS. 


53 


useless life I have heretofore led. I feel that I 
have been merely a machiue — that I have been a 
stumbling-block in the way of others ; but, God 
helping me, I will be a help rather than a hin- 
drance in the days to come. I came away from that 
last consecration service, held during the closing 
session, firmly resolved to consecrate myself, body 
and soul, to the Master’s use. I fancied then that 
it would be an easy thing to do, but to-night, with 
the very first presentation of duty, I came very 
nearly making my will my own by refusing to take 
up the cross which I knew my Father designed for 
me to carry. If each of us could say with our 
whole heart, ^ There is nothing for which I wish 
more earnestly than to be able to say truly, /‘For 
me to live is Christ,’ ” there would be a wonderful 
revival in Glendale, such as has never before been 
experienced.” 

After Helen had finished speaking Mr. Holland 
led in a very tender, impressive prayer, and then in 
a few earnest words he set before the young people 
their duty as fellow-workers in the Church. Said 
he ; 

Christ’s call, ‘ Leave all and follow me,’ was 
given at first to young men, and it is still addressed 
with special emphasis to the youth of our land and 


54 


CONSECRATED ANEW, 


of all lands. We should always keep in mind the 
fact that Jesus Christ was a young man when he 
went about doing good, and that all the marvelous 
record of his ministry was accomplished within the 
limits of a life that never passed its youth. Most 
of his disciples and apostles who were sent out by 
him to publish the gospel of peace were also young 
men. Youth, in its strength and beauty, is meant 
to be the saving force of the world. If the 
Church is to increase and fill the earth, it 
must grow by annexing the young people of the 
world. Christianity is a religion for young men 
and young women, as well as for the middle-aged 
and hoary-headed fathers and mothers. And then 
there is another reason besides this one — that you 
are needed as workers in the Lord’s vineyard — 
w'hy your lives should be consecrated to his service. 
You are not sure that you will have after-years, 
beyond the boundaries of blooming youth, in which 
to write a record of devotion to duty. Do you not 
know that the blossom is as liable to be nipped as 
the flower to be withered ? that veins full of youth- 
ful blood may be emptied by an accident as quickly 
as those that are feeble with old age? If none 
are too old for eternity, none are too young for 
immortality. How can you be alive when you die 


TAKING UP THE CROSS. 


55 


if you are dead now while alive ? In weaving the 
web of eternal destiny there is only one perfect 
Pattern — only one — Christ Jesus. He is your 
model in general outlines as well as in every detail. 
Look at his character from whatever standpoint 
you may, and perfection greets you. All his attrib- 
utes blend in one harmonious whole. His symmetry 
is marvelously beautiful. You must take him for 
your model everywhere. Just where Providence 
has placed you, you must shine with Christ’s 
reflected light. This is your opportunity — to show 
him to your associates. Among them you are to 
live as your Saviour would live were he situated as 
you are. You may ask, ‘ How can I ever measure 
up to a demand so great?’ Only in one way, dear 
young friends : Christ himself must take up his 
abode in your heart and manifest his own pure life 
through yours. You must let him in and grant 
him full sway over your entire being. In every 
true Christian, Christ is an indwelling reality, a 
living presence. Thus human weakness is supple- 
mented by divine strength, human ignorance by 
God’s wisdom. 

Heretofore we have been slothful in the work 
of the Lord, in Glendale, but I trust our days of 
indifference are over for ever. We are about to 


56 


CONSECRATED ANEW, 


begin a new era, to enter upon a race, and the first 
thing we should do is to see that we are beginning 
right. In a race much depends upon a good start. 
Let us lay aside every weight, every besetting sin, 
and press forward. Good resolutions, a deep de- 
termination to do right at all times and a lofty 
conception of full-orbed Christian character will 
impart courage and strength at the outset. Then, 
too, we must put intense energy into the struggle, 
for this is the age of intensity. The winners are 
workers, but the laggards are left behind. Con- 
centration has become a necessity. Nearly all suc- 
cessful men of the world, as well as of the Church, 
learn to say, ^ This one thing I do/ A Christiaif s 
^ one tiling^ is to become Christ-like. Right- will- 
ing and right-doing result in right-being — the 
highest possible achievement. Let us crowd the 
golden hours with deserved blessings, and press 
with vigor onward and upward. An eternity of 
blissful being awaits him who is ^faithful unto 
death.^ Young Christian, your richest experiences 
are yet to come. Whensoever Christ calls you up 
higher, be found pressing forward. 

There is one vital prerequisite of spiritual dis- 
cernment — faith in the Son of God. We enter the 
Christian life by faith ; we advance in Christian 


TAKING UP THE CROSS. 


57 


experience by faith ; we overcome by faith. ^ Ac- 
cording to your faith ^ will be your religious state, 
your reward at last in heaven, your usefulness, 
your joy in the Master’s service. Prove your 
faith by your works, by cheerfully obeying what- 
soever he commands you. Out of thorough obedi- 
ence grows confidence in God.” 

At the close of his remarks Mr. Holland ap- 
pointed a meeting on the following evening to see 
what could be done toward eifecting a Christian 
Endeavor organization. 

^^Will you lead the devotional services to-mor- 
row night?” he inquired of Helen, after telling her 
how much he had enjoyed her talk. 

She hesitated a moment — she had never prayed 
in public in her life — but her consecration vows 
were binding; she had promised her all to Jesus, 
and could not, dared not, refuse ; so in a very low, 
unsteady voice she told him she would do her best. 


CHAPTER VI. 


“ OF THE EARTH, EARTHY.” 


“ The colors that we had to weave 
Were bright in our early years, 

But we wove the tissue wrong, and stained 
The woof with bitter tears; 

We wove a web of doubt and fear — 

Not faith and hope and love — 

Because we looked at our work, and not 
At our Pattern up above/^ 


EGARDLESS of Helenas good resolutions, 



Phil succeeded in provoking a hasty reply 
from her before she left the break fast- table the 
next morning. 

It is nothing but a sham, Helen, he laughed. 

Don’t you see that your new religion will not 
stand the test any better than the old one ?” 

What do you mean, Phil ?” demanded Helen, 
her cheeks flushing with .indignation. 

Why, just this, sister: a religion that cannot 
endure all the ills to which flesh is heir is not the 
kind the Bible recommends,” said Phil. When- 
ever I find a professing Christian living up to the 


58 


OF THE EARTH, EARTHY: 


59 


rules laid down in that good old book, I intend to 
take stock in the business myself/^ 

You have no authority to copy after any of us 
poor, weak, sinning mortals, Philip dear,^^ said 
grandma tenderly. Jesus says, ^ Follow me ’ and 
if you try to step in his footsteps, you will never go 
very far out of the way. Imitate him, and leave 
Helen to do the same. You will not be judged by 
her shortcomings, neither will you have to answer for 
her sins nor bear the responsibility of her failures.’^ 
I presume not, grandma; still, it does a fellow 
good to note the difference between the preaching 
and the practicing of these holier-than-thou people. 
I believe in a religion that is good for all the days of 
the week, as well as the Sabbath. To my thinking, 
it is not of much account if it will not help a 
fellow out of trouble and make him happy as he 
goes over lifers rough ways. People must live their 
religion if they expect to influence others by it,’^ 
returned Phil as he walked out with the air of a 
conqueror. 

Helen was grieved over her exhibition of 
temper, but she was still very human, and censured 
Phil more than herself for the morning trouble. 
In the afternoon, while looking over a new mag- 
azine, her eyes fell on the following paragraph. At 


60 


CONSECRATED ANEW. 


other times, perhaps, she would have scarcely 
noticed it, but, her attention being called to it at 
the time it was, it made a deep impression on her 
mind, and she read it over the second time in order 
to catch its full meaning : 

Our Christian life must be lived out before the 
world. As in olden times men saw Jesus on the 
streets and in their homes and in their assemblies, 
and knew that the Christ was visible, so must they 
see us in places of business and duty, in all places 
where men are, and must know that the Christ, in 
the person of one who loves and serves him and 
represents him to them, is verily present. They 
must see him in us. We must speak his language 
of heaven amidst the Babel tongues of the world. 
Christian testimony has convinced gainsayers of the 
reality of personal faith in Christ.^^ 

No doubt testimony is of the utmost import- 
ance,’^ admitted Helen, but a Christly living 
without testimony is much better than the testi- 
mony with the living part left out. Phil under- 
stands this, and judges me accordingly, and I am 
afraid he has seen very little of Jesus in me to- 
day.” She longed to tell him so, but she did not 
have an opportunity of seeing him alone that after- 
noon, and determined to mend matters by keeping 


'OF THE EARTH, EARTHY: 


61 


a close watch over the door of her lips in the 
future. In fact, she was really glad that he kept 
out of her sight that night, for to her it was very 
humiliating to apologize, especially to Phil, who 
was so provoking, and, as she believed, generally 
the cause of her unchristian outbreaks. 

I do wish Mr. Holland had not asked me to 
lead the meeting this evening,^^ she confided to her- 
self as she prepared the lesson for the evening. 

There are others who are accustomed to such 
work, and I am certain I shall break down 
entirely.’^ 

But she did not, and, to her surprise, she found 
ready helpers in the very ones she had most feared. 

How I wish he had not come she whispered to 
Nellie Ames when she noticed Dick Holmes slip- 
ping quietly into a back pew. But a few minutes 
later, when the provoking fellow, in the absence of 
the leader of the choir, volunteered to assist in 
singing, she felt like asking his pardon for her un- 
generous thoughts. The meeting proved to be a 
very interesting one, and many who had never 
before opened their lips in prayer took a part when 
the young leader asked for"” voluntary sentence 
prayers. Some of these petitions were praying 
verses of Scripture, such as Create in me a clean 


62 


CONSECRATED ANEW. 


heart, O God Wash me, and I shall be whiter 
than the snow f God be merciful to me, a 
sinner.’^ Again, the cry of the troubled heart was, 
Help me to decide for Jesus, just now f O God, 
teach me how to pray ^^Dear Master, fill our 
hearts with thy love heavenly Father, keep 

us from sinning against thee/^ 

These brief petitions not only afforded an oppor- 
tunity to many to take part, but they were very 
helpful to the timid, shrinking ones who could not 
trust their voices to carry them through a more 
formal prayer. 

At the close of the devotional service Mr. Hol- 
land stated the object of the meeting just as he had 
done three times before; but this time there was no 
holding back as there had been on previous occa- 
sions, and an organization w'as effected without any 
difficulty, after the election of officers, which' re- 
sulted in the choice of Herbert Garde for president, 
Nellie Ames vice-president, Helen Priest secretary, 
and Dane Bronson treasurer; the constitution of 
the Christian Endeavor Society was read and 
adopted, the various committees appointed, and the 
good work fairly begun. 

Before adjournment Mr. Plolland said, 

I cannot express the joy I feel to-night. I am 


^OF THE EAETH, EARTHY: 


63 


so glad that my young people have at last broken 
up the silent partnership with Christ, and have be- 
gun to speak out in his name and favor. I am 
convinced that you will soon learn to conduct your 
prayer-meetings and participate in them on the 
short-metre principle — that you will use the word 
of God as applied to yourselves along the lines of 
daily experience. I know of no movement equal 
in potency and promise to this voluntary up- 
rising of the young people all over the land. But 
there is one thing, dear friends, that I wish to im- 
press upon your minds : perfection of organization 
alone will not fulfill the promise nor develop the 
potency. Fidelity here, as elsewhere, is absolutely 
essential ; and fidelity being given, the results will 
be as grand and rich and enduring as could be de- 
sired. ^These young people’s societies have done 
more good than anything else to quicken the re- 
ligious life among themselves, and in the entire 
Church as well. Pastors have found them de- 
cided helps in their work, and Sabbath -school 
superintendents testify to their efficiency among the 
young of their schools. I have long felt the need 
of such an organization in my own church. The 
object of this society is twofold : the training of 
young people for Christian work, and the develop- 


64 


CONSECRATED ANEW, 


ing of an earnest Christian life among its members, 
I feel we need your help and sympathy in the con- 
gregation, and you need each other’s help and the 
lielp of the great Master in the performance of the 
life-work upon which you are entering ; and from 
the enthusiasm with which you have gone into this 
new relation, I am sure I shall not be disappointed 
in my anticipations of brighter days in the future.*^ 
^^Let us all enter into an agreement with our 
consciences to do our very best to make our young 
people’s meeting a success in every sense of the 
word. No one is too small or too insignificant to 
do a little for the Master. The children of Israel 
in their free gifts for the tabernacle set a beautiful 
example that we would do well to imitate. Each 
one brought just what he had. Some brought 
gold, others silver, and others again brass. Those 
who possessed precious stones gave them for the 
ephod and for the breastplate ; and every one with 
whom was found blue and purple and scarlet and 
fine linen and goats’ hairv and badgers’ skins, 
brought them ; some gave oil for the lamps, while 
others presented sweet-smelling spices; and still 
others came with offerings of costly wood for any 
work of the service. The women who had ear- 
rings and bracelets gave them with a free will, and 


OF THE EARTH, EARTHY: 


65 


those who did uot possess jewels spun with their 
hands fine linen and goats’ hair — just what they 
possessed — for the gifts which their hearts stirred 
them to make. In fact, they all brought some- 
thing, whether it were small or large, of much value 
or of but little worth. And it nowhere appears 
that those who had but little to give refused to 
make an offering. The small gifts were just as 
acceptable to the Lord, provided they were the 
best the owners had, as were the greater gifts of 
those who possessed more wealth. This is a beau- 
tiful, noble, inspiring example, and its application 
to ourselves at this present time is pertinent as well 
as forcible. Let us bring what gifts we possess, no 
matter how small they may be, to the prayer- 
meeting, the Sabbath-school, the church service, 
and to the treasury of God’s house. We each have 
a work to do, and if we do our very best, willingly, 
we need make no apology for the smallness of the 
gift. God does not require the interest due from 
ten talents, or even five talents, where he has given 
but one.” 


5 


CHAPTER VII. 
ACCEPTING THE RESPONSIBILITY. 


“ Whatsoever ye do in word or deed, do all in the name of . 
the Lord Jesus/^ 



ELL, what is to be done first?’’ asked 


^ ' Louis Bergh as the members of the prayer- 
meeting committee took their places around the 
table at their first formal meeting. 

As chairman of this committee it devolves on 
you to decide that point,” answered Lee Cunning- 
ham quietly. Perhaps we Avould understand 
what is expected of us more fully if we knew just 
what the duty of this committee is.” 

Louis hesitated a moment, and then read from a 
little book before him : 

‘^It shall be the duty of the Prayer-meeting 
Committee to see that topics are assigned, leaders 
and speakers appointed, and that all other neces- 
sary arrangements are made.” 

‘‘ There is more responsibility involved in those 
few lines than four such inexperienced people as we 
have here sliould shoulder,” remarked Lee grave- 


66 


ACCEPTING THE RESPONSIBILITY. 


67 


ly. I wish some one more gifted had been ap- 
pointed in my place/^ 

I said something similar to that in the presence 
of Mr. Holland this morning, and he very kindly 
reminded me that I was not to go on, as of old, in 
search of easy places. He said we must fight 
against the habit of evading duty; that we should 
have something definite to do for the Master, and 
be ready for service at all times,^^ rejoined Louis, 
astonished at his own boldness, for it was the fii'st 
time that he had ever ventured a word of advice 
on such a subject. He waited a few minutes, hop- 
ing some one would make a suggestion ; but as no 
help came from his three dumb listeners, he said in 
a low, firm voice, ‘^1 feel that we need wisdom 
from above for the work before us. Let us spend 
a few minutes in silent pleading for direction, and 
then Helen Priest will please lead us in a brief 
prayer.’^ 

Instantly the four young heads were reverently 
bowed, and when, at the close of Helen’s earnest 
j)otition, they were lifted again, each heart felt 
stronger for the little season spent with Jesus, and 
for the consciousness of his help. 

I think we are ready for work now,” remarked 
Lee. ‘^We have pledged ourselves not to shirk 


68 


CONSECRATED ANEW. 


duty, and if we hope to live up to that pledge, we 
must redeem the time by dispatching our work in a 
business way. We have several lists of subjects at 
hand from which to select topics for the coming six 
months, and as our pastor has suggested that the 
leaders be appointed in alphabetical order, it will 
not require much time to settle these two points.^^ 
Nearly an hour was spent in arranging and re- 
arranging the program before the young people 
Avere Avilling to submit it to the society. 

am glad that we are through at last,’^ salfd 
Bernice Lyle, with a look of relief when Louis 
announced the tedious Avork completed. We will 
not need to meet again for a month. 

We have merely made a beginning, Bernice,^^ 
answered Helen. The part w^e can put on paper 
is a A^ery small portion of our duty. It belongs to 
this committee to see that the prayer-meetings are 
Avell attended and interesting, evening after even- 
ing. To this end we must go on arranging and re- 
arranging, never permitting the meetings to drag 
or become monotonous. We have merely con- 
structed the framework, and all the filling-in 
depends on our future efforts. Of course much of 
the enthusiasm of each meeting must depend upon 
the leader, but we must seek to arrange in advance 


ACCEPTING THE RESPONSIBILITY. 69 


for the filling of the long, awkward gaps that kill 
so many prayer-meetings/^ 

How do you propose to do this, Helen in- 
quired Louis Bergh. 

We must always have an understanding with a 
few who are ready to take up the service as the 
leader concludes, so that it will not lose its momen- 
tum. We all know that a meeting depends very 
largely on the first two or three minutes after the 
leader closes, and we must make the attempt in ad- 
vance to have the intensity usual at the last part of 
the meeting begin at the first. The young people 
must be made to feel that they attend the Sabbath- 
school and preaching service to receive good, but 
that they come to the young people’s meeting both 
to receive and to do good. In order that every one 
present may take some part, I think we should 
insist that all the exercises be very brief.” 

have been thinking that if each one would 
answer to his name at roll-call with a verse of 
Scripture, it might help the timid ones to become 
accustomed to the sound of their own voices,” said 
Lee Cunningham, with a vivid recollection of the 
time when even this was a cross to him. 

That is a good suggestion, and I am glad you 
, mentioned it,” said Helen brightly. 


70 


CONSECRATED ANEW. 


^^Tliat will suit my case precisely/’ declared 
Bernice Lyle. I can recite a verse, provided all 
the rest do the same, but I think I can never 
learn to take a more active part in the meeting.” 

thought that once too, and it frightens me to 
hear my own voice yet ; but I dare not refuse to 
witness for my Master when I feel he is calling me 
to testify concerning his goodness to me,” replied 
Helen with a happy ring in her voice. Timid 
as I sometimes feel, I have an inherent conviction 
that a child of God ought to confess with the 
lips.” 

The ground should be maintained that young 
converts are to take part in the service from the 
very outset,” Louis insisted. A time will never 
come when the duty will be less a cross than at the 
beginning of the soul’s new life. AVitness-bearing 
is the duty of every follower of Christ. The de- 
sire to speak for him exists in the children of the 
kingdom.” 

This desire may be strong in the heart, and yet 
the lips refuse to bear testimony,” urged Bernice 
soberly. 

This timidity must be the fault of early train- 
ing,” Lee remarked thoughtfully. ‘^It is no 
drudgery for us to perform the parts assigned to 


ACCEPTING THE RESPONSIBILITY. 71 


US in school or society, but the moment our lives 
come ill contact with Christian work, we begin to 
shrink back and cry out that the cross is too 
heavy for us to carry/^ 

wish I could overcome my diffidence, and 
take my part in the prayer-meeting as I should ; 
but I never shall,^^ Bernice confided to Helen as 
they walked home. 

Begin by announcing a hymn or offering a sen- 
tence-prayer during the voluntary service,’^ counseled 
Helen. Never mind the tremor in your voice. 
Sometimes that is the most touching part of the 
service. You may break down, and by so doing 
reach hearts that never felt before. You know 
the promise, ^My grace is sufficient for thee; 
for my strength is made perfect in weakness.^ None 
of us can accomplish anything in our own strength. 
We need Jesus every hour. The very life of our 
organization depends upon our nearness to Jesus. 
By living close to him we can overcome our weak- 
ness, for he is our strength, our ever-present help, 
our all in all.’^ 

I am a member of the church, and have been 
for several years, but I have never given much 
evidence to the world that my profession was 
genuine,’^ admitted Bernice. Sometimes, when I 


72 


CONSECRATED ANEW. 


take the trouble to think the matter over seriously, 
I doubt my own honesty. I am sure that if I am 
a Christian at all, I am like Peter just before he 
denied Jesus — following my Master afar off.’’ 

And yet you would not give up your hope of 
heaven for all the world^s riches,’^ urged Helen. 

No, oh no ! Giddy and thoughtless as I am, I 
would not for worlds exchange my weak faith for 
unbelief,^^ replied Bernice with strong emjJiasis. 

This matter did not trouble me much until after 
I heard your glowing account of that wonderful 
convention. Since that night my conscience has 
given me no peace. I try to heed its promptings, 
but I have been asleep so long that I fear I shall 
never be thoroughly aroused. DonT you think, 
Helen, that we injure ourselves by our careless 
habits 

We certainly do,’^ was the reply. wonder 
now how I endured my selfish, aimless life, or 
how, after giving my heart to Jesus, I became so 
indilferent to known duty.\ I thought, too, when 
I united with the church, that I had given up my 
own will — that I would be willing to follow my 
Master anywhere, everywhere; but I soon forgot 
my vows, and if I had not been appointed to go to 
the convention, I might never have been awakened 


ACCEPTING THE RESPONSIBILITY, 


73 


to a sense of ray duty. I shall bless the Lord while 
I live for all that ray eyes saw, ray ears heard and 
ray heart felt during those wonderful days in tliat 
convention. I feel that I had the advantage of the 
rest of you. I wish you all could hav^e been there, 
for I am sure you would have received a blessing.^^ 
^‘You brought a blessing home to us, Helen,^^ 
insisted Bernice. ^^It must have been from the 
Lord, or it would not have reached our hearts as it 
has certainly done. He was surely pleased with 
the appointment which at the time we all felt was 
a mistake, else why has he been pleased to accept 
our choice, and give us more in return than we 
expected 

God accepts all our honest efforts,’^ said Helen. 
^^Sorne one has said, ^No good deed, np genuine 
sacrifice, is ever wasted. If there be good in it, 
God will use it for his own holy purposes, and 
whatever of ignorance or weakness or mistake is 
mingled with it will drop away as the withered 
sepals drop away when the full flower has 
blown.’ ” 


CHAPTER VIII. 


WAYSIDE SOWING. 

We are journeying unto the place of which the Lord said, 
I will give it you ; come thou with us, and we will do thee 
good: for the Lord hath spoken good concerning Israel.’’ 

"P AE has consented to go with me to the 
prayer-meeting to-night,” said Eleanor Gray 
brightly, meeting Helen on the stairs after a short 
conference with her young sister. 

am glad you have thought of her, Eleanor,” 
replied Helen nervously. T have asked her sev- 
eral times to go, but I never could get a sensible an- 
swer from her. She is so giddy and light-hearted 
that I fear she thinks very little about such 
things.” 

Well, she has promised to come to-night, at any 
rate, and we must not frighten her avvay by our 
doleful countenances,” exclaimed Eleanor. I as- 
sured her that she would not be called upon to take 
a part, and 1 must speak to the leader on the sub- 
ject.” 


74 


WAYSIDE SOWING. 


75 


It is understood that young members are to be 
consulted privately regarding their willingness to 
participate in the service before any public call 
shall be made upon them/^ explained Helen. “ I 
think it is easier for them to begin by taking part 
in the voluntary service.’^ 

I am quite certain it is ; at least it was with 
me/^ assented Eleanor. ‘‘Somehow it friglitens 
people to hear their own names called. The Mem- 
bership Committee has succeeded in drumming up 
quite a number of recruits, and I have just now 
thought of one whose name was not mentioned in 
our meeting — ^your brother Philip. Do you think 
it would be wise for me to speak to him on the 
subject 

“ There is no reason why you should not, 
Eleanor, but I fear you will only receive a bluff 
for your pains,^^ Helen replied with a grave shake 
of her head. “ Phil is so bitter when approached 
on matters that disturb his conscience. He would 
be very apt to offend you.’’ 

“ I am not consulting my own feelings now, 
Helen. Duty, hard, stern duty, is my master 
while such work is to be done. Phil has a soul to 
be saved or lost, and it is my duty to ask him to 
come with us, hoping we may do him good. There 


76 


CONSECRATED ANEW, 


he is now at the gate. I am going to speak to him 
before my courage fails.^^ 

Suiting her action to her words, Eleanor ran 
lightly down the stairs and passed out into the 
bright sunshine. Phil was leaning listlessly against 
the gate-post, and looked up only to return 
Eleanor’s cheery good-morning. 

Was ever a more perfect day made?” Eleanor 
inquired, looking up delightedly into the depths of 
the blue sky. 

I don’t know, indeed. I hadn’t noticed any- 
thing ]3articularly attractive about the weather. It 
is all pretty much the same to me,” Phil grumbled 
as he took a hasty survey of his surroundings. 
‘^The day is well enough, I suppose, but it is 
shockingly warm.” 

Eleanor made a few more commonplace remarks, 
and th^n, convinced that Phil was determined not 
to be interested in anything she could suggest, she 
decided to make her business known.* 

‘^Phil,” she began, and there was a quiver in 
her voice — ^^Phil, won’t you come to our young 
people’s prayer-meeting to-night? We would be 
very glad to see you there.” 

Phil was- interested now. He raised his head 
and looked at her with astonished eyes. He 


WAYSIDE SOWING. 


77 


watched her changing colors closely for a few 
moments, and then in a bitter voice said, 

^^That is a very queer request to make. Miss 
Gray. What possible interest can you feel in a 
wretch like me ? I’m a nobody, and every one in 
Glendale knows it. Why didn’t Helen ask me 
herself?” 

Oh, she is not on that committee,” exclaimed 
Eleanor, forgetting all the pleasant things she had 
meant to say. 

Then I am indebted to a soulless committee for 
this tardy courtesy,” retorted Phil impatiently. 

Helen is my sister, even if she is not a com- 
mittee-woman. She is a church-member too, and 
has been for several years, yet she never has said a 
word to me on religion, nor has she had the 
courage to even invite me inside the church in all 
that time. If she is a sample of the kind of 
Christians the Church is sending out, the less we 
poor outcasts have to do with them the better.” 

‘‘You misjudge Helen, Phil. It is her timidity 
that keeps her from telling you how much she 
longs to see you give yourself to Jesus. She is 
praying for you, I know.” 

“ How do you know ?” interrupted Phil. “ Has 
she made a public announcement to that effect?” 


78 


CONSECRATED ANEW. 


Oh^ no, no ! I did not mean that, Phil. She is 
praying for you, though, night and day, but in the 
sanctity of her own room,’^ urged Eleanor. 

She can amuse herself in that way if she sees 
proper, I suppose ; at least, I can’t prevent such 
devotions ; but if she goes to dragging me before 
the public there will be war and from the dark 
frown that disfigured his face Eleanor knew that 
Phil meant what he said. 

You need not worry the least on that point, 
Phil,” Eleanor hastened to assure him. ^^Come to 
the meeting to-night, and see what a welcome we 
will give you. You will never be insulted there 
— never,” she urged. 

Phil shook his head in a determined way, and 
after a moment’s silence said, with slight sai’casm. 
Carry my regards to your committee, and 
express my regret that important business prevents 
me from accepting such a pressing invitation.” 

The committee did not send me, Phil ; I came 
of my own accord and on my own responsibility, 
and I am willing to bear whatever blame you may 
attach to the occurrence. I hope you will recon- 
sider your decision, and come. I am sure every- 
body will be glad to see you there. Good-morn- 
ing,” and with a pleasant smile Eleanor turned 


WAYSIDE SOWING, 


79 


from him and walked briskly down the wide, 
shady street. 

Phil watched her until she was^ out of sight, a 
little’baffled at his failure to provoke a retort from 
her lips. behaved beastly, he admitted as he 
recalled the surly manner in which he had received 
Eleanor’s kindly-meant invitation. I did not mean 
to be rude, but I have become disgusted with all this 
sham and prattling about religion. There is much 
excuse for a fellow who has been tried as I have 
been.” 

Good-morning, Phil. A beautiful day we are 
enjoying,” said a pleasant voice by his side; and 
Phil looked up to greet a smiling face — a face that 
never failed to inspire him with better and purer 
thoughts than usually found lodgment in his 
breast. 

Good- morning, Mr. Brent,” he returned, with 
as much good cheer as he had received. 

You’re drinking in the sunshine, I see,” said 
Mr. Brent as he bowed himself away. 

believe in that man’s religion,” Pliil solilo- 
quized as he passed out of the gate and turned liis 
lagging steps in the direction the cheery man had 
gone. He carries his Christianity about with 
him in his face and voice, and even in his walk. 


80 • 


CONSECRATED ANEW. 


It does me good to follow him and watch his re- 
ligion working out through his lips and finger- 
tips/^ 

A moment later his model stopped to chase* tears 
away from the eyes of a little girl who had lost her 
fortune in the form of a bright new nickel. The 
missing bit could not be found, but a shining silver 
piece of more value took its place and sent the child 
home rejoicing. A few steps farther on, Mr. Brent 
found time to open the gate for an old woman 
whose dim eyes refused to do her service in finding 
the latch. Though a very busy man, he paused a 
moment to adjust a quarrel between two urchins 
who could not agree concerning the division of 
their marbles, and still had a few minutes left for 
pleasant good-mornings and warm handshakings 
among the friends and neighbors who crossed his 
path. 

‘^If everybody was like him, there would be 
fewer broken hearts and shattered lives in the 
world,’^ Phil muttered as he retraced his steps. 
^^He emphasizes his belief in the golden rule by 
living it, and that is the kind of belief that counts. 
If professed Christians would take more pains to 
live their religion, as Mr. Brent does, there would 
be less need of their constant preaching at their 


WAYSIDE SOWING. 


81 


neighbors/^ continued Pliil^ resuming his loafing- 
place at the gate-post. Mr. Brent is a beautiful 
liver, and if I were sure that religion had anything 
or everything to do with his happiness, I would 
make a desperate effort to try its power in my own 
reform.’^ 

You will not be disappointed if you appeal to 
Jesus for help, I assure you,’’ said Herbert Garde, 
who had been near enough the wretched Phil to 
hear his soliloquy. 

You here, Herbert !” exclaimed Phil, visibly 
annoyed at betraying his own unhappy thoughts. 

was only talking for the sake of argument,” 
he declared crossly. 

There is reason in your argument, at any rate, 
Phil,” urged Herbert. ^^Mr. Brent is a model 
Christian, and he is doing what many of us pro- 
fessors are not doing — he is letting his light shine. 
We know that if the sun shines upon a brick, no 
brightness is reflected. So when the Sun of Bight- 
eoiisness shines upon an unregenerated and un- 
responsive soul, there is no reflection. The re- 
flective power has not been imparted to such a 
soul. Let the sun shine upon a diamond, and it 
will sparkle with beauty. It does not have to 

make any effort to emit such ever- varying splcn- 
6 


82 


CONSECRATED ANEW. 


dor. This glow is only the outward manifestation 
of its inward nature and worth. Thus it should 
be, and is, with the divinely-renewed heart. It is 
ever giving to all about the superb illumination of 
its ever-glowing Christ-love.^^ 

‘^That description suits Mr. Brent,^^ said Phil, 
with something like animation in his face and 
voice. 

‘^Yes,’^ admitted Herbert; ^^Mr. Brent is a 
grand, good man — like his Master, always going 
about doing good. There is much of our charac- 
ter, or the want of it, expressed in our daily deal- 
ings with others. Still, Phil, living a beautiful 
life with Jesus left out of it will not save any one. 
Christ must be formed in us ; the consistent living 
must proceed from a heart given wholly to him.^^ 

do not want to hear any preaching on this 
point,^^ said Phil irritably, making a movement to 
go. I have been preached at all my life. What 
I now want to witness is the practicing part, and I 
will not listen to any further conversation on the 
subject f and before Herbert had an answer ready 
Phil was gone. 

‘‘ I am such a wretched blunderer,^^ Herbert said 
as he watched PhiFs retreating figure striding 
angrily up the gravel walk. I did not intend to 


WAYSIDE SOWING. 


83 


preach at him, or to him either, but, as usual, I 
have defeated the very object I hoped to accomplish. 
It is so hard to determine when to speak and when 
to keep silent,’’ he added as he walked slowly away, 
really vexed that he had interrupted Phil’s train 
of thought. 

The prayer-meeting that evening was deeply in- 
teresting and solemn. Through the efforts of the 
Prayer-meeting Committee a greater number thaff 
usual took part in the voluntary service. The re- 
marks and prayers were brief and earnest, the sing- 
ing was inspiring, and many who had never trusted 
their voices in public before stood up to request an 
interest in the prayers being offered or to speak 
a word for Jesus. , 

When Philip Priest gave that sneering message 
to Eleanor Gray he had not the slightest intention 
of accepting her invitation ; but, try as he would, 
he could not get her earnest words out of his 
thoughts all day ; hence at nightfall, instead of 
going to his club as usual, he slipped unnoticed 
down to the church, and, hiding in its shadows, 
managed to hear all that was said and done during 
that intensely interesting hour.* 


CHAPTER IX. 


THE CONSECRATION MEETING. 

“ Whom have I in heaven but thee ? and there is none on 
earth that I desire beside thee/^ 



HE first montli’s work of the young people’s 


society in Glendale closed with a very impress- 
ive consecration service. The meeting was in 
charge of Dane Bronson, and, though a voluntary 
service entirely, he had taken pains in advance to 
arrange for any distressing pauses should they 
occur. After a few moments spent in silent prayer, 
and while heads were still bowed reverently, wait- 
ing for a blessing, a clear young voice began to sing 
sweetly, 

I am thine, O Lord ; I have heard thy voice, 

And it told thy love to me ; 


But I long to rise in the arms of faith, 
And be closer drawn to thee.” 


A brief prayer 'by the pastor, pleading for the 
presence of the Spirit, followed, and then tlie 
young people joined in singing, softly and tenderly. 


84 


THE CONSECRATION MEETING, 


85 


“IVe found a Friend ; oh, such a Friend ! 

He bled, he died to save me ; 

And not alone the gift of life, 

But his own self he gave me. 

Naught that I have my own I call, 

I hold it for the Giver ; 

My heart, my strength, my life, my all, 

Are his, and his for ever.’^ 

At the close of the singing the leader read a few 
verses from the third chapter of the epistle to the 
Colossians, and then came the recitation of 
Scripture verses bearing on the lesson of the even- 
ing. Then followed a season of earnest prayer, in 
which many voices were heard pleading for 
strength to keep their consecration vows. After 
another song and a short time spent in testimony- 
bearing the leader read a few verses from the fourth 
chapter of Matthew, beginning at the nineteenth 
verse : And he said unto them. Follow me, and I 
will make you fishers of men. And they straight- 
way left their nets and followed him.^^ Looking 
into the eager young faces before him, Dane Bron- 
son said : 

How simple, how direct, how personal was our 
Lord’s reply to those who came seeking the way of 
salvation ! To each inquirer came the same brief, 
practical answer, ^ Follow me.’ And, dear friends. 


86 


CONSECRATED ANEW. 


let me assure you that this method of our Master’s 
is the ouly true way of winning souls to-day. It 
is the personal life of the believer, the consistency 
of his character, the genuineness of his profession, 
rather than any words he may speak, no matter 
how eloquent or convincing, to which men give 
heed. The Christian in his humble sphere may 
hesitate to say, ^ Follow me,’ but, after all, is it not 
his example, his character, his faithfulness, which 
recommend the religion he professes? Men are not 
apt to be won by argument, by advice, by solicita- 
tion, but when they see a beautiful, well-rounded, 
Christ-like life, they are drawn to it by a kind of 
spiritual affinity. As we consecrate ourselves anew 
to-night let us resolve with God’s help to proclaim 
our faith by living it. Let our influence be such 
as to win others as Christ won them — by the ear- 
nestness, sincerity and purity of our character. None 
of those to whom the invitation ‘Follow me’w^as 
extended doubted its meaning. All that was neces- 
sary was to be near him and like him. He is our 
model to-day, and while holding him up to others 
we ought to aim to follow his beautiful example, so 
that our characters, our influence, our lives may be 
so beautiful, so pure and so uplifting that men 
who see us and know us will feel constrained to 


THE CONSECRATION MEETING. 


87 


acknowledge that we have been with Jesus and 
have learned of hiin/^ 

‘^Now, while we are so near the cross, let us 
bring our petitions for dear ones out of Christ,’’ 
said Herbert Garde, shading his eyes to hide the 
moisture gathering in tliem. 

A few moments of solemn silence prevailed, and 
then a trembling voice ventured a request for a 
brother who had gone astray. Pray for a father 
who knows not God,” said a young man unused to 
speaking. I wish you to remember a sister who 
is halting between two opinions,” begged another ; 
and from a back pew came the petition, ^^Ask 
God’s help for a young man who is sorely tempt- 
ed.” Immediately afterward came a timid request, 
^^Pray that I may be entirely consecrated to my 
Master’s use. I wish to be emptied of self, that I 
may be filled with Christ.” 

There was silence for a moment; then a voice, 
tender and low, prayed, ^^Lord Jesus, we desire 
now to bring to thee the wayward brother who has 
wandered far from his father’s God. Lay thy hand 
in blessing upon him, and in much mercy lead him 
back into the straight and narrow way. If it 
please thee, reveal thyself to the father who is yet 
a stranger to thee, and give the sister who is waver- 


88 


CONSECRATED ANEW. 


ing, grace to decide for Christ. Draw the young 
man who is struggling against temptation very 
close to thyself, and may he ever look to thee for 
help and strength ; and, blessed Master, we beseech 
thee that the sister who desires to be wholly thine 
may be enabled to say from the heart, 

* Take myself, and I will be 
Ever, only, all for thee/ 


At the close of this prayer there were other re- 
quests, followed by earnest petitions, and then Mr. 
Holland rose and said : 

^^Some one has beautifully said, ^ It is the angel 
aim and standard in an act that consecrate it. He 
who aims for perfectness in a trifle is trying to do 
that trifle well. The smallest road-side pool has 
its water from heaven and its gleam from the sun, 
and can hold the stars in its bosom as well as the 
great ocean. Even so the humblest man or woman 
can live splendidly. You and I may have no 
wonderful mission, no great sphere in which to 
move, and yet the universe is not complete without 
your work and my work well done. Will we stand 
with slackened hands and fallen hearts before the 
smallness of our service? Is it too insignificant to 
be perfect in it? Would we, were we master, risk 


THE CONSECRATION MEETING. 


89 


a great treasure in the hands of such a servant?’ 
Ah, my young friends, there is no one so lowly 
that he cannot make his life great by high en- 
deavor ; there is not even a child who cannot fill a 
niche of service somewhere in the world. ^ This is 
the beginning of all gospels, that the kingdom of 
heaven is at hand just where we are. It is as near 
us as our work is, for the steps toward heaven for 
each soul are taken in the endeavor to do that work 
perfectly.’ There is a great song for ever singing, 
and we are all parts and notes of it, if we will just 
let him put us in tune. To-night I feel that we 
have all struck the same key-note and are in tune 
M'ith Jesus. Let us keep near him, now and 
always. 

young man said to me this morning, have 
given my name to the Membership Committee. I 
like the promise because it is so simple, so easily 
understood.’ 

He expressed my convictions in regard to that 
promise exactly. When I first read it I feared it 
was scarcely strong enough, but wlien I called to 
mind the solemn vows assumed by each one when 
entering the church, I was constrained to admit 
that it was all that was needed. Most of you have 
given yourselves to God in an everlasting covenant. 


90 


CONSECRATED ANEW, 


and are under obligations to honor him by Christly 
living. As children of the heavenly King you 
should be loyal subjects, always aiming to make 
your own Church a power in the land, while at the 
same time you should love every other Church that 
exalts your Christ, ^o-night, just while you are 
renewing your consecration vows, I would like to 
recall to your minds the solemn obligations you 
voluntarily took upon yourselves when you publicly 
gave yourselves to Christ. All who wish to renew 
their promises will please rise and remain standing 
while I read the obligations as found in 

My Covenant with God. 

I believe the Scriptures of the Old and New 
Testaments to be the word of God, the infallible 
and only rule of faith and practice. 

I confess myself a sinner, and accept the Lord 
Jesus Christ as my Saviour. I acknowledge him 
as my Lord, and dedicate myself to him, promising 
through grace to continue in the faith. 

I promise to be subject to the order and disci- 
pline of God’s house, to be diligent in my attend- 
ance upon divine ordinances, both teaching and 
sealing, according to my profession. 

I promise to read God’s word and pray to him 


THE CONSECRATION MEETING. 


91 


daily, and to perform whatever other duties may be 
incumbent upon me in whatever station I may oc- 
cupy in life. 

I promise to seek the peace, purity and pros- 
perity of the congregation of which I am a 
member, and to make it a matter of conscience to 
promote the cause of Christ and his truth by every 
possible means, and especially by a holy and godly 
life. 

make this profession of my faith, and all 
these promises, as in the presence of God, in reli- 
ance on his grace, and as I desire to give in my ac- 
count with joy at the great day.’^ T 

Deep silence prevailed for a few minutes after 
Mr. Holland finished reading, and then some one 
began singing. 

All that I am and have — thy gifts so free — 

In joy, in grief, through life, dear Lord, for thee ; 

And when thy face I see, my ransomed soul shall be, 
Through all eternity, something for thee.’^ 

The first line was sung through in a quivering 
voice, but before the verse ended there were no 
sealed lips among those young people who stood up 
to renew their covenant with their God. 


CHAPTER X. 


BITS OF WORK. 

“ There is a friend that sticketh closer than a brother.’^ 

^^T^ANE BRONSON ought to go out as an 
evangelist — that is, if he practices what he 
preaches/^ said Philip Priest thoughtfully as the 
family sat around the breakfast-table the morning 
after that memorable consecration meeting. 

Whatever virtues Dane may lack, he was never 
known to be wanting in the grace of sincerity,^^ an- 
swered Helen, by no means certain concerning her 
brother’s meaning. She hoped he would explain 
himself without any questioning on her part, but, 
as he made no further effort to continue the con- 
versation, she inquired curiously, 

What put that notion into your head, Phil ? 
Has Dane been talking to you on the subject?” 

^‘Dane don’t talk to me on any subject,” Phil 
answered. ^^He knows better than to attack me. 
But to answer your first question plainly, I was 
92 


BITS OF WORK. 


93 


tliioking of tlie remarks he made at the prayer- 
meeting last night/^ 

He was certainly very much in earnest/^ Helen 
assented, watching him attentively. She knew of 
the bitterness existing between the two; still, she 
could not believe that Phil had spoken ironically 
respecting Dane^s solemn words about following 
Jesus. That was too sacred a theme for even Phil 
to regard with irreverence. 

‘^Did you hear him speak she ventured, not 
knowing what else to say. 

I heard of the stand he took, and it was the 
right one too, provided, of course, that he lives up 
to it,^^ Phil answered, coloring deeply ; for, reckless 
as he was, he was not used to evading the truth. 
The fact was, he had stood outside, under an open 
window, just as he had done the w^eek previous, 
and had heard every word that Dane said ; but at 
present he was not prepared to make such an ac- 
knowledgment to Helen. 

Dane is very much in earnest,’^ Helen admitted 
in a low voice. ^‘You know he has a habit of 
putting his whole heart into anything he under- 
takes.^’ 

^‘That is the way he came to capture the first 
prize in his senipr year. Dane is quite a young 


94 


CONSECRATED ANEW. 


man, not much over twenty, I should judge, and 
yet he has completed his college course,’’ said Dr. 
Priest. He was once a classmate of yours, Philip,” 
he added, looking critically into the flushed face of 
his eldest son. 

Phil winced under the home-thrust, but he did 
not answer back, as had been his custom on former 
like occasions. There was justice in his father’s 
unsyrii pathetic allusion, and there was still a 
tender spot in Phil’s heart — a great pity for the 
father who had been so sorely disappointed in 
his son. 

Noting the unpleasant turn the conversation had 
taken, Mrs. Priest managed to change the subject, 
and in a few minutes Phil asked to be excused and 
slipped quietly to his room. 

It is only three years since we were classmates 
— and — well, Dane did not take the prize then, 
though I have wished a thousand times he had, 
for it was at the banquet given in my honor on 
that occasion that I was first tempted to break my 
temperance pledge. Oh, if only I had refused to 
drink that first fateful glass of wine, what might I 
not have been to-day !” he cried bitterly, bowing 
his head on the table before him. I wonder if 
father and Helen really think that I enjoy the dis- 


BITS OF WORK. 


95 


ti notion of being a common drunkard? I do not 
believe that there is a man on earth who is a 
drunkard from choice. It is just one step, and 
then another, until the poor wretch is bound, hand 
and foot, and release comes only in death. Does 
it come even then he asked in a startled voice. 

Does death end all ? Ah, no ! I am sure it does 
not, though God knows I wish it did,^^ he ex- 
claimed desperately. 

While he sat there in this dejected mood Helen 
came in, after tapping lightly at the door, ostensibly 
to put his room in order, really to give him a little 
sisterly sympathy, should she find him approach- 
able. His wretched appearance touched her heart 
in a very tender spot, and with a prayer on her 
lips she crossed near to where he sat, and, laying 
her hand gently on his head, asked, Can’t I do 
something for you?” 

^^No,” he answered shortly. Nobody can do 
anything for a poor drunken wretch like me.” 

There is one who can, Phil. Jesus, the friend 
who sticketh closer than a brother, is here, right 
here by your side, though you cannot see him, and 
he is both able and willing to help you. Just put 
yourself wholly in his hands, and he will not dis- 
appoint you. Won’t you trust him, Phil?” 


96 


CONSECRATED ANEW, 


She waited a little, as if expecting an answer, 
but Phil neither spoke nor moved ; then, thinking 
he wished to be alone, Helen slipped quietly out 
and crossed the hall to her own room. She felt 
that she had made a mistake in thrusting her pres- 
ence upon her ungracious brother, but she had 
meant well. 

^^Is it possible that Jesus is the real living 
Saviour that Helen pictures Phil questioned 
after his sister had gone. If he is all that she 
fancies, he might be able to help me save myself 
from my tyrannical master, my appetite for strong 
drink. At any rate, there can be no harm in asking 
his aid and protection,’^ he said as he slipped down 
on- his knees and offered a very simple petition — 
the first real prayer he had ever uttered. 

Helen knew nothing of his feeble efforts, but her 
sympathies had been enlisted by his utter desolation 
in the morning, and all day long she was on the 
watch to offer him such little ministries as would 
not seem officious. In the evening she tried to en- 
list him ill a spirited game of croquet, but he 
assured her he was too stupid to play, and after 
watching the others listlessly for a short time he 
sauntered down to the gate, and before Helen could 
think of a plan to detain him he was out on the 


BITS OF WORK, 


97 


pavement, walking aimlessly down the street in the 
direction of The Spread Eagle, the only place in 
Glendale where he now expected a welcome. 

Helen watehed him as he went slowly down the 
long shady street, her heart throbbing wdldly as he 
neared the gilded resort that had been the most 
powerful factor in his downfall. But, instead of 
going in, as she was certain he would do, he turned 
down a cross-alley leading to the river, and in a 
moment was lost to her sight. The poor girl 
turned white even to her lips. A terrible fear had 
seized her — he had gone to the river to seek forget- 
fulness in its dark waters. He was wretched and 
helpless, and had no Saviour to whom to turn in 
his hour of despondency. With a prayer in her 
heart for his safety she passed out of the gate, and, 
crossing the street at the first corner, went swiftly 
in the direction of the river. But, though she 
kept up a restless pacing to and fro along its banks 
for a full half hour, she failed to catch a glimpse 
of the figure she longed yet feared to see. 

The evening was pleasant, and people were 
promenading up and down in full view of the 
peaceful stream ; hence she rightly concluded that 
there was no danger of the calamity she feared, at 
least not until the streets were deserted, for Phil 
7 


98 


CO:SSECRATED ANEW. 


was too proud to do such a cowardly thing while 
there was the least danger of being detected. Still, 
she lingered until it was almost dark, and then went 
home by the way that Phil had taken ; but she saw 
nothing of him, neither did he return until nearly 
ten o’clock, and then, strange as it seemed to the 
family, he was perfectly sober. During the day 
that followed Phil was quieter, more subdued than 
usual. Though Helen longed to extend to him a 
helping hand, he studiously evaded her; but what 
she could not give him in counsel she faithfully 
endeavored to make up to him by a consistent liv- 
ing. She felt that he was watching her, and her 
constant prayer was, Keep me near thee, O Jesus, 
and make my life so much like thine own that this 
dear brother may see thine image reflected in my 
every word and action. 

Helen fully realized that, having invited Christ 
as a guest into her heart, she must expel whatever 
was opposed to him. Pride, anger, discord, ill- 
temper, selfishness, must all go out. He could not 
dwell with these companions any more than light 
could have communion and fellowship with dark- 
ness. She felt that she could best honor him in her 
home. She had been learning, in these refining 
days, that it was not punctual attendance upon the 


BITS OF WORK. 


99 


various services of the church, not even bearing 
up cheerfully under heavy trials, that called forth 
the true Christian spirit. The actual battle came in 
the small, insignificant worries of life. The real 
victories depended upon very trivial circumstances 
often such as patience under little vexations, 
cheerfulness of disposition, the soft answer that 
turneth away wrath, the helping hand, the gracious 
yielding up of one’s own will when necessary. 
She felt that it was by these and similar other 
homely duties that Christ must be recognized in 
the individual life. Since she had consecrated her- 
self anew to the blessed Master she was not satis- 
fied with the old careless life. A consuming desire 
to win souls for Christ had taken possession of her, 
and she fully realized that there was no use in talk- 
ing and praying wdth and for those in whom she 
felt such a deep interest unless her living was such 
as to emphasize her precepts. 

Phil recognized the change in her, but he did not 
give her credit for being sincere. He thought he 
understood her motives, and was really of the 
opinion that her gracious manner was only a trap 
to ensnare him, to draw him away from the dis- 
reputable companions who were now his only asso- 
ciates; still, he could not get away entirely from 


100 


CONSECRATED ANEW. 


her gentle influence, and often, after that night, in- 
stead of spending the evening in the saloon, as he 
wished her to think he was doing, he went down to the 
river’s side and walked up and down along its banks 
while a fierce conflict between his better nature and 
his old life raged wildly in his bosom. He was 
dissatisfied with his past, too, but as yet was not 
strong enough to turn from it and flee away. 


CHAPTER XI. 


THE BUSINESS MEETING. 


“Seeth thou a man diligent in his business? he shall stand 
before kings; he shall not stand before mean men.’^ 



HERE in the world are you two going 


^ * asked Rae Priest as Helen and Eleanor 
Gray came down stairs dressed in their plain walk- 
ing-suits. 

^^You know there is a business meeting of our 
society to-night/^ answered Helen. Can’t you 
come along?” 

No, thank you. • I am not part of the organiza- 
tion, and if I were I should not trouble myself to 
attend any dull business meeting,” returned Rae 
with a disdainful toss of her pretty head. ^‘1 hate 
anything like business.” 

Business meetings are only prosy when people 
make them so,” declared Eleanor. There surely 
should be enough enthusiasm in thirty or forty 
young people to make our meeting interesting.” 

There should be, of course ; but you will find 


101 


102 


CONSECRATED ANEW. 


both enthusiasm and interest conspicuously absent, 
and half of the thirty or forty young people will 
prove quite as disappointing, I fear,’^ laughed Eae. 

Then there will be the more need for our pres- 
ence,’^ Helen returned gravely. ^^If every one 
would take your view of duty, Eae, Avho would 
attend to the business?” 

There are always a few eager to carry the bur- 
den of such societies, and I w’ould be in favor of 
giving them life-leases of such unsavory work,” 
was Eae’s light answer. ^^Dane Bronson and 
Louis Bergh, for instance, would willingly relieve 
you of all responsibility in the matter.” 

‘^But we must not try to shirk responsibility in 
that way, Eae,” urged Eleanor. ^^We should be 
willing to perform our part, no matter how dis- 
tasteful the work may be.” 

Very well ; if you choose to make martyrs of 
yourselves, after I have planned a way of escape, 
it is no concern of mine,” replied Eae with much 
gravity. am glad, however, that I have not 
such an inconvenient conscience.” 

What a light-hearted, giddy creature she is !” 
said Helen, in a troubled voice, after they had 
passed out of her hearing. 

‘^She thinks deeper than you suspect, Helen,” 


THE BUSINESS MEETING. 


103 


responded Eleanor clieerfully. I like her bright, 
witty sayings, though at times they do sound a 
little out of place. If she would only give herself 
to Christ, what a winning worker she would make ! 
Do you know I always imagine that he is best 
pleased with our bright, cheerful service? I fear 
we sometimes injure his cause by our doleful looks 
and discouraging words.’^ 

^^No doubt we do; still, it is hard to be always 
smiling when there is a heavy weight at the heart. 
I am so anxious about Rae, and then the way Phil 
does is distressing,^^ said Helen. If they were only 
Christians, I think I would be really happy.’^ 

Leave them with God, Helen, and pray on,’^ 
counseled Eleanor. What can harm them if in 
liis keeping ? or what can harm you when all must 
first touch him within whom you have enclosed 
yourself?’^ 

I wish I could,^^ Helen said simply ; and then, 
as neither of the girls seemed inclined to continue 
the conversation, the rest of the walk was taken in 
silence. 

Rae was right about the number of young people 
who would find excuses to remain away, but she 
was altogether wrong when she prophesied that the 
meetiiur would be dull and uninterestin<r. The 


104 


CONSECTtATED ANEW. 


devotional exercises, conducted by the president, 
were very impressive, and the reports of the va- 
rious committees were brief, terse and bristling with 
points and suggestions that made them anything 
else than prosy. After the reports were all in and 
disposed of, in a few brief but rather discouraging 
words Lee Cunningham referred to the number of 
vacant seats, and asked if some means could not be 
devised to secure a fuller attendance of the 
members. 

I can suggest but one tiling,’^ replied Dane 
Bronson, and that is to make the meetings so 
interesting and beneficial that every one will 
delight to come.’^ 

It is exceedingly difficult to make the dry pro- 
ceedings of a business meeting interesting to those 
Avho are not interested,’^ remarked the president, 
after waiting for further suggestions. ^^But I 
think we have no reason to be discouraged with the 
attendance to-night. It is wrong to proceed on the 
principle that numbers make strength. A society 
will not live because of its large membership. 
Numbers make size, but earnestness makes strength. 
The Master’s plan is the best.^ He first made plain 
the cost of following him, , and, as the result, the 
little church in that upper room in Jerusalem has 


THE BUSINESS MEETING, 


105 


been the leaven that has spread throughout the 
whole world/^ 

‘‘ In dealing with absentees both tact and com- 
mon sense are indispensable/^ remarked Louis 
Bergh, after some discussion on the vexed question 
of how to bring the members out Avhen a business 
meeting was announced. It will not do to dele- 
gate any member of the society to see them ; and 
even when the right one has been found, great care 
must be taken in the performance of tlie delicate 
task. It seems to me that we cannot hold the 
standard of pledge-keeping too high, and that we 
should endeavor to cultivate in our own members 
the importance of living up to the solemn obliga- 
tions they have each one taken. The business and 
the social world will be better if our young people 
learn by heart the sacredness of promise-keeping.^^ 
Let us not be discouraged if our society does 
not seem so prosperous as some others. It is yet in 
its infancy,^^ urged Helen Priest. ‘‘ Each society 
has the same object in view — the training of young 
people for Christian work in the church and the 
development of an earnest Christian life among its 
members. The same task is assigned to us person- 
ally — to bring salvation to human souls ; the same 
motive impels us — love for Christ; and the same 


106 


CONSECRATED ANEW, 


working materials — consecrated hearts and lips and 
hands — are employed. Yet into this work our in- 
dividuality will creep, causing our labor' and 
methods to bear our own stamp. We may receive 
suggestions and seed-thoughts from others, but they 
must be planted in our own brain-soil, fertilized by 
our own prayers and character, before they can 
bring forth the distinctive fruit required by the 
necessity of our work.’^ 

When I was put on the Membership Committee 
I felt that I could never have the courage to fulfill 
its requirements — to endeavor to bring new mem- 
bers into the society, assign to them work and try 
to reclaim those indifferent to their duty. But after 
a month of very feeble endeavor I wish to bear 
witness to the all-sufficiency of Christ’s help when 
we go forward, depending upon him for promised 
strength,” was Eleanor Gray’s testimony. ^^If 
Christ has been precious to us, we should be only 
too glad to tell the story of redeeming love to 
others.” 

I feel that the main necessity in our w^ork is 
consecration,” said Louis Bergh. We must keep 
near Jesus at all times. Unless we are thoi*oughly 
imbued with the spirit of humble devoted ness to 
Christ, doing all with an eye to his service, there is 


THE BUSINESS MEETING. 


107 


great danger of becoming religiously vain about 
our organization and the splendid work we are try- 
ing to accomplish. A sense of responsibility should 
teach us that we are not our own. We have noth- 
ing, save what has been given us for a purpose, 
beyond ourselves. There cannot lawfully be any 
folding of talents in a napkin or putting the light 
under a bushel. If we are Christians, we must 
shine — we must give out light to help others on in 
the journey heavenward.’^ 

^^My idea of the model society is not one in 
which the committees do the greater part of the 
work, but one in which all are doing something, 
and, however small the task, doing that something 
well,” said Nellie Ames. I have learned one 
thing to-night, and that is the necessity of putting 
forth one’s best effort, even in the most trifling 
things. As a member of the Temperance Com- 
mittee I objected to a written report of the work 
accomplished on account of its insignificance; but 
our chairman said we must obey orders, even if 
there was nothing to report; and what I have 
heard here to-night convinces me that he was 
right.” 

That all may be at work, each doing his share, 
we need system in the arrangement and division of 


108 


CONSECRATED ANEW, 


our efforts. No human machinery has yet been in- 
vented that does not need constant watchfulness to 
keep it in running order, and no organization is so 
perfect that if left to general direction it will not 
become rusty and fall to pieces/^ said Mr. Hol- 
land. ^^One feature of this society from its begin- 
ning has been its subordination to the church. It 
has recognized its rightful place, and that its only 
legitimate mission is to be a ^ pastor’s aid society.’ 
Anything that will bring pastor and people closer 
together must prove helpful to the church work, 
which is always weak if not mutual. The more 
training young people have in earnest Christian 
living and in active service, the more they will be- 
come interested in the various branches of church 
life and work in their own denomination. And 
now, in answer to the question, ‘ How can we have 
a good meeting in our local organization ?’ I wish 
to say that you must make provision for it. Noth- 
ing must be left to chance. Do not try. to work 
alone. It is dreary, fruitless work. Put some- 
thing into the service if you want to get some- 
thing out of it. Endeavor to bring genuine enthusi- 
asm into your meetings, and never for an instant for- 
get that no Christian work can flourish without being 
accompanied by faithful, earnest prayer. Enter 


THE BUSINESS MEETING, 


109 


into the work with all your heart ; always be found 
in your place in the prayer-meeting ; take up the 
committee work to which you are appointed as 
though you were called by God to do it, as as- 
suredly you are; learn by blessed, practical expe- 
rience something of the joy of service ; in a word, 
^Whatsoever you do, do it heartily, as unto the 
Lord/^^ 


CHAPTER XII. 


MY BROTHER’S KEEPER. 

*‘He giveth us all things richly to enjoy. 

OU are the very person I wish to see/^ ex- 
claimed Mr. Holland, meeting Dane Bron- 
son on the street one bright June morning. You 
have a winning way with youug men, and I would 
like you to speak a few helpful words to Philip 
Priest. It is very sad to see a young man so gifted 
drift entirely away, and yet make no effort to re- 
claim him.^^ 

fear that anything I could say would only 
add to his recklessness,^^ answered Dane, somewhat 
confused. think you could approach him much 
more easily than any other person in Glendale. He 
would feel that you were not overstepping your 
proper boundaries.’^ 

That is just where you are mistaken, Dane. 
He evades me at every turn. I can never get more 
than a half-courteous good-morning out of him, and 
usually he does not take the trouble to raise his 


MY BROTHERS KEEPER, 


111 


head when he crosses my path/’ replied Mr. Hol- 
land soberly. No, he is evidently afraid of being 
^preached to/ but as an old acquaintance he may 
take a friendly suggestion from you.” 

‘‘1 am confident he will not/’ answered Dane 
with a decided shake of his head. 

Give him the benefit of the doubt, at any rate,” 
urged Mr. Holland. He is all wrong, poor fel- 
low ! and there is no telling the influence a few 
kind words may have. Invite him to your social 
to-morrow night, and if he comes, see that he has a 
pleasant time,” 

I presume his sister will attend to that duty,” 
Dane responded quickly. She is on the Social 
Committee too.” 

^^It is not duty alone that should compel such 
work, Dane,” returned Mr. Holland thoughtfully. 
“ Love, love to the Master and love to the unfortunate, 
should enter into our motives when unpleasant work 
presents itself. ^ In his name’ you can do all things.” 

‘^I will think over what you have been saying, 
Mr. Holland,” said Dane as their roads parted. 

^^And pray over it, too,” urged Mr. Holland, 
giving the young man’s hand a friendly shake. 

Remember that you are not your own. You 
serve the Lord Christ. His eyes are upon you, 


112 


CONSECRATED ANEW. 


and he is ready to answer your faintest call when 
in trouble. Carry all your cares and burdens to 
him. He careth for you.^^ 

Again Dane promised to remember his pastor^s 
advice, and as soon as they separated he began to 
revolve the unpleasant subject in his mind. ‘‘ How 
can I approach Philip Priest after all that has 
passed between us?’^ he said to himself as he 
walked down the cool, pleasant street that led to 
his liome. Of course, Mr. Holland knows noth- 
ing about the quarrel.’^ 

Who was first in error?’’ asked conscience, and, 
after reviewing the well-remembered circumstances 
connected with the trouble, Dane was compelled to 
admit that he had provoked the estrangement him- 
self. Previous to the time that Philip had won 
the freshman prize the two had been the best of 
friends, but on that memorable occasion Dane, his 
pride wounded, his love turned to hatred, had ac- 
cused his successful rival of using unfair means 
to accomplish his end. In his just indignation Phil 
had resented the accusation, hot words had followed, 
and from that day to this they had met and passed 
as strangers. Phil had said then that Dane must 
apologize for the insult before they could be 
friends again, and, though Phil had sunk so low in 


MY BROTHERS KEEPER. 


113 


Ills course since that day, Dane was fully convinced* 
that the apology must yet be made before he could 
liope to accomplish the task that he had promised 
to pray over. 

It was. a hard battle that he fought in his own 
room that forenoon, but, though alone, he went not 
warfaring in his own strength, and when the struggle 
ceased, a victory over pride had been won. Toward 
evening he rang the door-bell at the Priest residence, 
and, asking for Phil, was sent directly to the young 
man’s room. 

What passed between them no one save them- 
selves knew, but an hour after Dane had gone 
hesitatingly up stairs, Phil showed him down, and 
there was no sign of anger or resentment on either 
of their faces when they parted at the door. The 
evening was warm and sultry, and as the shade of 
the great elm at the corner of the house looked 
very inviting, Phil crossed the veranda and settled 
himself in a rustic seat for the purpose of thinking 
over the events of the last hour. While he lino;ered 
there the voices of his sisters, who were discussing 
the coming social, floated out from the open win- 
dow of the library and fell upon his ears. At first 
he listened indifferently, but, after the girls had ex- 
changed views on several topics of an ordinary 
8 


114 


CONSECRATED ANEW. 


nature, that did not interest Phil in any Avay, Eae 
inquired of his sister, 

What kind of amusements do you propose to 
introduce to-morrow night? There will be some- 
thing attractive, of course/^ 

I am not on that committee, Pae, but I fancy 
there will be a variety of innocent games, music, 
select readings, declamations and story-telling,’^ re- 
plied Helen. 

) I am afraid we will have rather a stupid time, 
for you know there are so few of the popular pas- 
times that would be proper for Christians to engage 
in,” insisted Eae, rather enjoying Helen’s apparent 
confusion. 

Phil leaned forward to catch the answer. That 
very thought had been puzzling him, and he ex- 
pected Helen would resort to woman’s subterfuge 
by evading the question. But she did not, nor did 
she seem to be perplexed or at a loss for an answer, 
but replied promptly, 

‘^W^hatever is right for any one to do is right 
for the Christian.” 

‘^How will you make that appear?” asked Eae, 
evidently not satisfied. 

If a thing is wrong ^ it must be because, on the 
whole, it is injurious either to one’s own self or to 




MY BROTHER’S KEEPER. 


115 


others. That is the ground of all moral obligation. 
Laws are made for all, not for those alone who 
choose to admit their obligation. The influence of 
wrong-doing on the part of a Christian is undoubt- 
edly greater, since to the violation of law he adds 
the power of example, thus shaking the confidence 
of men in the sincerity of Christian profession ; but 
what is sin for the follower of Christ is sin for 
those who reject him as well. 7 All the real joy and 
pleasure of this life belong of right to the Christian. 
God gives us not only for our need : ‘ He giveth us 
all things richly to enjoy Oi^ly God’s own chil- 
dren have a real right to partake of the pleasures 
he has provided in the life that now is.” 

At this point callers were announced, and Phil 
did not hear Rae’s answer ; but the earnest words 
that Helen had spoken gave him food for thought 
until, half an hour later, the girls claimed his 
assistance in a game of lawn-tennis. 

There was considerable surprise manifested among 
the young people at the social the next evening when 
Dane Bronson made his appearance in company with 
Philip Priest. They were all acquainted with the 
circumstances that had made them enemies, yet 
they dared not gratify their curiosity by demanding 
an explanation. Eleanor Gray took Philip in 



■i 




116 


CONSECRATED ANEW. 


charge at once, and many of the young people^ feel- 
ing safe in recognizing one in such company, came 
around to where they were sitting to welcome him. 
Phil understood, however, to whom he owed this 
recognition, and, though urged to go forward and 
mingle with the rest, he declined in a gracious way, 
and soon excused himself and slipped quietly away. 
Considering that it was the young people’s first at- 
tempt to manage such a gathering, the meeting 
proved to be very much of a success. Formality 
was set aside at the very start, and there was more 
hand-shaking and less gossiping among the partici- 
pants than had ever occurred in so large a gathering 
in Glendale. Although it may never have been 
confessed, it is something deplorable to find how 
many people are strangers to each other in any large 
congregation. These wide-awake young people 
made it their business that night to search out and 
welcome the strangers within their gates, and I am 
quite certain they were amply repaid for their 
trouble by the grateful looks and words of those 
who went away happier for the little kindnesses 
they had received. 

Both at the opening and the close of the meeting 
bright young people were stationed at the door to 
speak to every one and to see that none came or 


MY BROTHERS KEEPER. 


117 


Avent Avithoiit a Avarm grasp of the hand and the 
assurance that they Avere Avelcorae. The interven- 
ing hours Avere yery pleasantly spent in reading, 
singing, social intercourse and pleasant games. 

One of the devices employed by the Social Com- 
mittee to break up formalism and lead to free and 
hearty interchange of words by the young people 
was one suggested by the pastor. Cards had been 
prepared beforehand by the committee — enougli to 
supply each of the expected guests with one upon 
his arrival. On each of these a topic for conversa- 
tion had been written, the same topic being written 
on two of the cards. 

The topics chosen were familiar ones — current 
events and interesting items of local importance, 
and other subjects which would lead easily to con- 
versation. Each one AA^as then expected to find the 
person holding the mate of his card, and spend at 
least one minute in conversation on the common 
subject Avith the holder. Considerable diversion 
Avas afforded by the search, as Avell as by the ques- 
tions and answers Avhich followed after the proper 
person Avas found. 

Mr. Holland and his cheery little Avife Avere here 
young folks among the rest, with kindly greetings 
for all, and no one, lookin<r into the faces of the 


118 


CONSECRATED ANEW, 


happy young people, would have thought there was 
much danger of them growing away from their 
pastor. He certainly had gained the hold upon 
their hearts he had so long coveted. 

There are in every neighborhood young people 
who readily accept invitations to such social gather- 
ings, and yet persistently remain away from all 
church services, and Glendale had its share of such 
inconsistent citizens ; but both the pastor and his 
wife understood human nature too well to frighten 
these careless young people away by thrusting upon 
them unwelcome advice or in any way referring to 
their neglect of duty in not identifying themselves 
Avith the people of God. On the other hand, by 
their kindness and by courteous dealing with them 
they strove to win their good will, and in the very 
amusements which they helped to plan — amuse- 
ments in Avhich all could participate — these young 
strangers, though all unconscious of the fact, 
learned a sweet lesson of thoughtfulness for others 
— a lesson in which the old, old story, with all its 
loveliness, was interwoven. 


CHAPTER XIIL 


AN IMPORTANT DECISION. 

Whatsoever he saith unto you, do it.” 

TN days gone by it had been no unusual thing for 
Helen Priest^s seat in the Sabbath -school to be 
empty. Even when she did attend, it was from a 
sense of duty rather than from any interest she 
took in the lesson. Though she was a close 
student, and took a very high position in her 
classes at the seminary, she thought nothing of 
going into Mr. Holland's Bible class without mak- 
ing the slightest preparation ; in fact, she scarcely 
ever took the time to read over the Scripture 
lesson. She was busy with her studies and social 
duties; and, ‘then, what was the use? for she never 
tried to reply to a question unless a nod or shake 
of the head would answer, and even then she was 
as apt to be wrong as right. But after she came 
back from that wonderful convention — a new 
creature in Christ Jesus — there was no attempt to 
evade responsibilities here or anywhere. One by 
one hitherto slighted duties were taken up as they 


120 


CONSECRATED ANEW, 


presented themselves, and the Bible class was not 
long in catching the enthusiasm she carried intodt. 
It was a pleasure now to study the beautiful lessons 
as they followed each other week after week. She 
was no longer an inattentive listener, and her ear- 
nest, eager face was more help to her discouraged 
teacher than all the appreciative words she could 
have spoken. 

One warm evening, just at the close of Sabbath- 
school, the superinten'dent came to her with a per- 
plexed face and requested her to take charge of a 
class of boys whose teacher had just handed in his 
resignation. 

^^Oh, indeed I cannot teach, Mr. Hill,’^ Helen 
efxclaimed decidedly. I know nothing about such 
w^ork, and I am very sure I should not succeed.^^ 
Mr. Holland has recommended you, and I 
have the utmost confidence in his judgment,’^ 
returned Mr. Hill. Try it for a day or two, and 
if you find that you are a failure, you can with- 
draw,^^ he urged. 

^^That would be a very bad place to test my 
weakness,^’ Helen said gravely. ‘‘ When I make an 
experiment, I would much prefer that it be made in 
a less responsible position.’^ 

‘^The class is a troublesome one, I will admit. 


AN IMPORTANT DECISION. 


121 


and for some time it has been without a regular 
teacher, no one seeming willing to undertake it per- 
manently. The most of the boys, you know, have 
been picked up from the street, and they are rather 
hard to control, but it would be a pity to send them 
back to their wretched haunts simply because no 
one is willing to teach them.’^ 

If I were capable of teaching I would not ask 
to be excused ; but just think of my inexperience, 
Mr. Hill,^^ urged Helen. Some one better quali- 
fied to fill the position can certainly be found. I 
think Eleanor Gray would take the class.’^ 

But the boys have chosen you,’^ argued Mr. 
Hill. ^^You can do your best, remembering that 
God will not hold you responsible for talents which 
you do not possess. Ho what you can, and the 
Spirit will do the rest.’^ 

Well, I will think about it,’’ agreed Helen as 
she passed out into the vestibule. 

I hope you will decide to take it, for the boys 
will expect you,” was the reply. Please let me 
know definitely not later than Wednesday even- 
ing.” 

That morning Mr. Holland chose for his text 
the words Eli put into the mouth of the child 
Samuel : Speak, Lord, for thy servant heareth,” 


122 


CONSECRATED ANEW, 


and he treated the subject in such a practical way 
that Helen could not help feeling that he knew 
something of the struggle going on in her heart. 
Among many other very pointed things, he said : 

The fundamental principle of our holy religion 
is obedience to God. Whenever you are convinced 
that he commands you to do anything, begin the 
work at once. Do not be content with purposing 
and resolving, but go at it without delay. Let not 
its greatness, its apparent difficulty and impossi- 
bility, discourage you. If the Master charges you 
with the duty, he will give you strength and 
success. Have faith in him, and go forward undis- 
mayed. 

‘•A poor old colored man — poor in everything 
except faith in God — once said that if God should 
command him to jump through a stone wall, he 
would jump at it; jumping at it, he said, belonged 
to him ; jumping through it belonged to God, and 
he had nothing to do with God’s part. 

Be willing always to know what your duty is, 
and earnestly strive with God^^s help to do it. Re- 
member you cannot overcome in your own 
strength. Just put yourself into the Lord’s hand, 
and let him use you as he will. If you put a 
musical instrument into the hands of a poor player. 


AN IMPORTANT DECISION. 


123 


you will feel like closing your ears to shut out the 
dissonance. But put the same instrument into the 
hands of a skillful musician, and you will feel the 
soul breathing through the instrument. The differ- 
ence is in the player. He understands how to touch 
the keys to bring out the music. By close study 
and careful practice the first performer may in time 
surpass the second, for to the persevering nothing 
is beyond attainment. 

Look all along the line of human history, and 
you may see what kind of figures God can make 
out of clay like yours, and some day you may hear 
what kind of music he can play on instruments 
such as you. 

His it is to command ; yours to obey. ^ What- 
soever he says unto you, do it,^ is the watchword 
under whose inspiration you are to pass forward 
cheerfully, rejoicingly, courageously, knowing that 
your great Teacher never sets for you a task that 
you cannot perform, never promises a reward that 
he is not able to give. In him all the promises are 
yea, and in him arnen.’^ 

] 

Before the sermon was finished Helen had almost 
decided that it was her duty to take that class ; but 
after she had studied the matter all over in the 
cpiiet of her own room many of the excuses came 


124 


CONSECRATED ANEW. 


crowding back to annoy and perplex her. In the 
twilight she had a long talk with her mother on 
the subject of duty-doing in general, and of this 
special duty in particular. Phil came in while 
they were talking, and, though he took no part in 
the conversation, he listened attentively and showed 
much interest in the subject under consideration. 
Helen appeared discourjjged, and inclined not to 
attempt what she feared would be a failure. 

You have a right to decide this matter as you 
choose, most certainly,’^ said Phil, with a quick, 
restless movement when he understood how the 
decision was going to turn ; but if I were a 
Christian, I think I should be glad of an oppor- 
tunity of trying to bring others to Christ. I would 
make it my life-work.^^ 

^^You would make a splendid Christian, Phil. 
How I wish you knew and loved my Saviour W 
said Helen in a low, unsteady voice. 

I wish I did too ; but I don’t,^^ was PhiFs sad 
answer as he turned and walked away. 

Helen hesitated no longer about taking a class, 
and the very next morning, fearing that her cour- 
age might not hold out, she walked over to Mr. 
HilFs office and told him he *need not worry any 
more about a teacher, as she had decided to take 


AN IMPORTANT DECISION 


125 


the class. She felt much happier after having 
made up her mind to perform the duty assigned 
her, and that very evening an opportunity occurred 
in which her own decision enabled her to speak en- 
couragingly to a young Christian who was shrinking, 
like herself, from known duty. It was her sister 
Rae, and the trouble was that she had been ap- 
pointed on a committee whose work she neither 
understood nor relished. Coming into Helenas 
room, she lamented that she had been appointed, 
since she knew nothing whatever about the subject 
of missions, and could not arrange a program that 
would be interesting even if she did. 

^^You are not the only one on the Missionary 
Committee, Rae,^^ answered Helen, looking up with 
a smile. 

might as well be, for Nettie Frew knows 
even less than I do on the subject, and Frank Lyle 
says boys are not expected to arrange missionary 
programs — it is women’s work,” replied Rae. He 
said you might suggest something interesting, and 
as we have to make our report this evening, I wish 
you would give us a few hints.” 

I fear Frank is trying to evade responsibility,” 
Helen said thoughtfully. I have never had much 
experience in conducting missionary work myself, 


126 


CONSECRATED ANEW. 


but I am very willing to lend a hand if I can be of 
any service to you. Usually the great trouble with 
a missionary meeting is the length of its speeches. 
Chop up into bits whatever you have to say, and 
give them out to others. Having selected a 
field, make its past history brief. The idea of 
the meeting is to get hold of the present work 
of Christ there. One great trouble is that too 
often, after the history and geography and customs 
of a place have been discussed, there is very 
little time, and that when all are tired and listless, 
to devote to the magnitude of the work of to-day. 
My advice would be, ^Choose your field, select 
those you wish to take part, and give each one his 
topic, requesting that no one speak more than two 
minutes.’ ” 

^^If those I appoint know no more on the sub- 
ject than I do, there will be no necessity for a 
limiting act such as you suggest,” laughed Rae. 

I am sure I could tell all I know inside of one 
minute.” 

Helen laughed and promised to look up some 
interesting bits of imformation on the subject for 
Kae; and so successful did her plan prove that 
when the committee met in the library that even- 
ing even Eae acknowledged that she was beginning 


AN IMPORTANT DECISION. 


127 


to get interested in a cause wliich heretofore she 
Iiad considered unpardonably dull. 

What agreeable Christians we would all be if 
we should follow the divine teaching, and do all 
things without murmu rings and disputings,’^ re- 
marked Rae, after the other members of the com- 
mittee had gone. 

It is not merely doing pleasant things or easy 
things or beautiful things without murmuring, but 
all things , assented Helen. If PauPs words were 
fully obeyed none of us would think of declining 
when asked to perform some unpleasant task.^^ 


CHAPTER XIV. 

SIGNING THE PLEDGE. 

** Wherefore, if meat make my brother to offend, I will eat 
no flesh while the world stands, lest I make my brother to 
offend.’’ 

OUR brother Phil is back there with Louis 
Bergh/^ whispered Bernice Ljle in Helen’s 
ear as she took a seat by her side on the following 
Wednesday evening at prayer-meeting. 

And this is to be a temperance meeting/’ ex- 
claimed Helen in a troubled voice. I am afraid 
he will think the evening program has been ar- 
ranged for his special benefit. How very unfortu- 
nate that he came to-night !” 

Louis should have had more sense than to 
bring him under the circumstances,” replied Ber- 
nice emphatically. And this is his first evening, 
too.” 

Helen looked perplexed, but just at that moment 
Herbert Garde, the leader, announced a hymn, and 
all the answer she made was a doubtful shake of 
the head. 


128 


SIGNING THE PLEDGE, 129 

Her troubled face cleared wonderfully while the 
verses were being sung, and she could not help 
thinking, from their appropriateness, that Herbert 
had made the selection after he had caught a 
glimpse of Phil and of the shadow on her own 
brow. Be that as it may, the words were comfort- 
ing, and she joined heartily in singing, 

“ Nearer, my God, to thee, 

Nearer to thee 1 
. E’en though it be a cross 
That raiseth me. 

Still all my song shall be. 

Nearer my God, to thee. 

Nearer to thee.” 

While we bow for a few minutes in silent 
prayer, let each heart carry its own petition to the 
great Burden-Bearer,’^ said the leader at the close 
of the song ; and when Helen raised her head after 
that brief service of communing with Jesus her 
face was calm and peaceful — the new trial had been 
left at the Master’s feet. 

After a few minutes more spent in devotional 
exercises the leader stated the object of the meeting, 
and asked for suggestions as to the best methods of 
inaugurating the work about to be undertaken. 

As the first step in taking up new work should 
9 


130 


CONSECRATED ANEW. 


be to determine that we are right ourselves, I 
believe it would be well for us to take such a stand 
on this question as to leave no doubt in the minds 
of outsiders concerning our individual position/^ 
said Lee Cunningham. ‘‘ We need to be sure, first 
of all, that we are sincere oursejves.’^ 

Would you have us all sign the temperance 
pledge before going farther?” inquired Louis Bergh. 

should not object to doing so myself,” was 
the quick response. 

Hoping that this meeting would begin with 
personal consecration in the work, we girls have 
come prepared with pledge-cards, and when the 
proper time comes we will be very glad to dis- 
tribute them,” said Eleanor Gray modestly. 

I fear there are some here who could not con- 
scientiously subscribe to that pledge,” responded 
Louis. 

I did not intend to express my sentiments on 
the subject at all, but as I do not know how much 
the pledge includes, I would suggest that it be 
read,” remarked Frank Lyle. 

Helen handed a card to the leader, and he read 
aloud, 

^ I solemnly promise, God helping me, to abstain 
from the use of all beverages containing alcohol.’ ” 


SIGNING THE PLEDGE, 


131 


It IS certainly not too strong/^ admitted Louis ; 
still, I am not in favor of making too many 
promises. It is better not to vow than to vow and 
not pay.’’ 

Promise and fulfillment should always be equal. 
If it be the purpose not to pay when vowing, the 
vow should never be taken ; but it is always better 
to vow to do what should be done, with the sincere 
purpose to attempt to do, even if it be not perfectly 
done,” argued Lee Cunningham. 

“A deliberate promise is the strongest cord 
with which any man can bind a good purpose,” 
insisted Dane Bronson. You have a purpose to 
be sober, reliable, pure; then bind the habits of 
your life to it with a solemn promise to abstain 
from all forms of excess, and you are safe in that 
line.” 

Not if the vow is taken in your own strength,” 
urged Herbert Garde. Human strength is very 
weak; your only hope here, as elsewhere, lies in 
keeping near Christ.” 

We must go nowhere that we cannot take Jesus 
with us,” admitted Dane. ‘‘I did not intend to 
leave him out, but I fear I did so.” 

Pledges are all well enough for the tempted — 
for those who need their support in the struggle to 


132 


CONSECRATED ANEW. 


overcome ; but I never could see any use in persons 
who have no desire for strong drink binding 
themselves with promises that to them can mean 
nothing/^ urged Louis. 

^ Why should I sign the pledge V is a question 
that admits of many answers/^ urged Dane. ‘^If 
you have no taste for intoxicating drinks, you 
should wall yourself in in your stronghold by a 
promise which, if kept, makes your safety doubly 
sure. Some may plead that they are able to drink 
or let it alone at will, and consequently need no 
pledge to bind them to total abstinence. But just 
here they make a grave mistake. The subtle poison 
of alcohol has but one way with human blood and 
nerves and brain, and if you take one glass to-day 
and another to-morrow or next week, the chances 
are that you will die a drunkard. You will follow 
in the same road that is filled up with the stagger- 
ing, profane, unclean throng of drunkards who all 
began just as you are doing now.’’ 

think we should all be willing to sign the 
pledge, even if we never touch a drop of alcoholic 
drink, simply that our name and influence may be 
on the right side of this important question,” said 
Lee Cunningham in a decided tone. As citizens 
and as members of the church of Christ we owe this 


SIGNING THE PLEDGE. 


133 


duty to the tempted and weak who need the strengtli 
which would come to them from our names on the 
pledge ; as members of society we should help set 
the fashion of temperance and purity to the social 
world ; and as men and women, boys and girls, we 
should take this firm stand, so that no one shall 
dare to call our position in question/’ 

At Lee’s request Eleanor Gray furnished Frank 
Lyle with a pledge and a pen, and while he was 
writing his name she offered cards to two of his 
companions, who, after reading them, gracefully 
passed them back to her with the information that 
they would not commit themselves just then. 
Perhaps they would some other time. 

At the leader’s suggestion Eleanor then distrib- 
uted pledges to all who would accept them. She 
felt that she was treading on dangerous ground 
when she offered one to Phil Priest, but he took it, 
and, after reading it over carefully, deliberately 
placed his signature to it. The greater part of the 
young people took the cards eagerly, and before 
Eleanor resumed her seat fully twoscore new names 
had been added to the great roll of the temperance 
army. Just as Eleanor finished signing her own 
name to the last pledge-card, Mr. Holland began 
to sing, 


134 


CONSECRATED ANEW. 


“ Yield not to temptation, for yielding is sin ; 

Each vict’ry will help you some other to win ; 

Fight manfully onward, dark passions subdue ; 

Look ever to Jesus — he’ll carry you through. 

Ask the Saviour to help you, comfort, strengthen and keep 
you; 

He is willing to aid you, he will carry you through.” 

The hymn was familiar, and tlie members with 
glad voices joined heartily in the song of praise. 
At the close of the last, line, following the example 
of their pastor, the young people fell upon their 
knees, and after making his tender, impressive 
prayer their own they joined in a delightful season 
of sentence-petitions, each petition uttered being a 
Scripture verse, every verse appropriate to the solemn 
pledge they had just taken. 

As they rose from their knees Mr. Holland said 
very touchingly. 

Remember, my young friends, that the vows of 
your God are upon you. You have taken a noble 
stand on this subject ; see to it that these vows do 
not remain unfulfilled. When you go out to 
mingle with those who have not enjoyed such a 
near approach to the Father as you have had to- 
night, keep your hands clean and your heart pure. 
Teach others by example that you have been with 


SIGNING THE PLEDGE, 


135 


Jesus and have learned of him. I trust each one 
of you has taken this solemn step in Christas 
strength, and that every one of you can say for 
himself, ^ I am willing to consecrate myself and all 
I have to the service of my King this very day.’ 
I am much encouraged by the position you have 
assumed on this all-important temperance question, 
and I look for great results to follow. No stream 
can be pure that flows from a corrupt fountain ; 
hence this much-needed reform can begin nowhere 
with so much promise as in the hearts of the re- 
formers. There is no argument so convincing in 
the eyes of your young associates as purity of life 
itself. Therefore, as you go out to labor in this 
field, do not forget the key-note of the society — 
nearness to Christ. ^ Abide with him, and keep 
yourselves unspotted from the world.’” 

Did you know that Philip signed the pledge 
to-night?” asked Eleanor Gray as she and Helen 
lingered for a few moments in the vestibule- 

Philip ! Oh, Eleanor, you are surely not in 
earnest !” exclaimed Helen, her voice all in a 
quiver. 

He certainly did. And I think it was his sign- 
ing that influenced so many others to take the cards 
so readily. Mr. Holland was deeply moved, I could 


136 


CONSECRATED ANEW, 


see, and I am sure we all felt the solemnity and 
responsibility of tli^ step we were taking more on 
his account. You were sitting forward, and did 
not notice him. I have been waiting impatiently 
ever since to tell you the good news. I knew you 
would be so glad.^^ 

I am, Eleanor, and yet I feel stunned,’’ Helen 
answered, unable to control her emotion. It is 
so unexpected, and — and I am afraid he will not 
be able to keep it. I am aware that he has been 
struggling hard for some time to overcome his ap- 
petite for drink ; but, Eleanor, it is such a useless 
struggle when it is made in poor human strength 
alone without depending on Christ.” 

How do you know that your brother has not 
carried his burden to the Master and left it at his 
feet already ?” inquired Eleanor. 

I do not know it at all, but I am almost certain 
he has not,” replied Helen soberly. 

I hope and believe he has,” responded Eleanor. 
And then, in answer to Helen’s inquiring glance, 
she added, Not from anything that I have learned 
on the subject, but simply from the fact that I do 
'not believe Phil would take such a step unless he 
thought he was able to live up to it. He knows all 
about the drunkard’s bondage, and he has not faith 


SIGNING THE PLEDGE. 


137 


enough in himself to try to escape without assist- 
ance. You know how honest Phil is.^^ 

sincerely hope you are right in your con- 
jecture, Eleanor, but I fear you are sorely mis- 
taken,’^ Helen argued. Phil could not keep such 
wonderful news from the rest of us.” 

Perhaps no one has asked him for a proof 
of the hope within him,” said Eleanor. At 
any rate, we want him to find our Jesus, and we 
can pray for him. If he is not a child of God, 
there is no reason why he should not be, for Christ 
is ever ready and willing to receive the returning 
prodigal.” 

Helen assented to what her friend said, but her 
heart was still heavy as they turned from the 
church-door, and during their walk toward home 
neither of them uttered a w^ord. They had lingered 
so long that the young people were all gone, but at 
the corner where their roads parted their brothers 
w^ere waiting for them. Eleanor shook hands with 
Philip, and spoke a few very low, appreciative 
words to him before she turned up the cross-street 
with her brother. After they had said good-night 
Phil offered his arm to Helen — a courtesy he had 
not practiced for years before. They walked on in 
silence for a few minutes, and then, feeling that she 


138 


CONSECRATED ANEW, 


ought to say something, though she scarcely knew 
what that something should be, she whispered, ‘‘ I 
am so glad you signed the pledge to-night/’ 

I knew you would be Helen ; I was sure of 
it,” Phil returned very quietly ; and I am sure, 
too, that you will be glad to hear that your Saviour 
is my Saviour now, too.” 

Oh, Phil ! such glorious news ! Why did you 
not tell me sooner?” Helen exclaimed, a joyous 
tremor in her voice. 

did not know it myself until this evening. 
I have been passing through deep waters lately. 
But a few hours ago, when the floods were 
likely to overwhelm me, there appeared unto me, 
walking by my side, one like unto the Son of 
God. In my utter helplessness I gave myself 
unreservedly to him, and since that time I have 
been — oh, so happy ! I did not think of sign- 
ing the pledge when I went to the prayer-meeting. 
I wanted to tell you of my new hope first, because 
you led me to Christ ; but I could not resist such a 
grand opportunity of witnessing for my blessed 
Master.” 

Oh, Phil, how can it be that I led you to Christ 
when I never said anything to you about him ? I 
longed to do so, but I could not force my lips to 


SIGNING THE PLEDGE. 


139 


utter the words my heart longed to speak/^ 
cried Helen with a troubled look. 

It was the living part, Helen, that led me back 
to my father^s God,^^ answered Philip. I had no 
faith in anybody's religion, yours in particular, 
until after you came home from that wonderful 
convention. Then I observed that you were 
changed, and as I watched you from day to day I 
was convinced that your religion was genuine, and 
I argued that if Jesus could give you grace to 
overcome your hasty temper, and to change you from 
the selfish girl that you had always been into the 
quiet, cheerful helper that you now are, there was 
hope for me, a miserable drunkard. Night after 
night I have stood outside of the church, by an 
open window, listening intently to what was going 
on inside, and I received a blessing even in my 
hiding-place. I felt that these young people owed 
their inspiration to you, and I often wonder they 
do not tell you so. Long ago I decided that 
religion was a reality — I knew it by its fruits — but 
to-night I can testify to this fact from blessed ex- 
perience. I never was so happy before; I am 
almost afraid to go to sleep to-night, for fear of 
waking in the morning to find my bliss a dream. 
It seems too sweet to last.’^ 


140 


CO^^SECRA TED ANE W, 


Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, to-day and 
for ever/^ answered Helen. He is able to keep 
you from falling. Put your whole trust in him.’^ 
I must, I must, Helen ; I cannot stand alone,’^ 
Phil exclaimed. am weakness itself, but I feel 
that the everlasting arms are around about and 
underneath me, and that under the shadow of 
Christ^s wings I am safe.^^ " 

God will keep you in the hollow of his hand, 
Phil. He never forgets those who put their trust 
in him,^^ said Helen tenderly, as they reached their 
father’s door. Going into tlie living-room, she 
turned up the light, and, opening the family Bible 
that lay on the stand, read — just where the leaves 
chanced to separate — ^ My help cometh from the 
Lord, who made heaven and earth. He will not 
sulfer thy foot to be moved ; he that keepeth thee 
will not slumber. Behold, he that keepeth Israel 
shall neither slumber nor sleep.’ ” 

have read those verses many times before, 
but they come to me with a new meaning altogether 
to-night,” said Phil, coming over to the stand 
and following the words as Helen read. ^^How 
sweetly I can slumber to-night with those precious 
words ringing in my ears !” Then, beginning 
where she had left off, he continued to read : ‘ The 


SIGNING THE PLEDGE. 


141 


liord is tliy keeper : the Lord is thy shade upon 
thy right hand. The sun shall not smite thee by 
day, nor the moon by night. The Lord shall pre- 
serve thee from all evil ; he shall preserve thy soul. 
The Lord shall preserve thy going out, and thy 
coming in, from this time forth and even for ever- 
more.^^ 

^‘From this time forth I am in his peculiar 
keeping,’’ Philip said with shining eyes as he 
finished reading. I wonder I was so long in find- 
ing out this glorious news. Good-night, Helen, 
and sweet dreams.” 


CHAPTER XV. 


HELEN’S SPECIAL WORK. 

Not to be ministered unto, but to minister.’^ 

T WISH I could find some special work to do 
for the Master/^ said Helen Priest, moving a 
low ottoman in front of Mrs. Holland, that she 
might look into the sweet, restful face of her friend 
while she talked. In these days of watching and 
waiting and praying she had found out what a 
wise, helpful counselor the pastoPs little wife was, 
and many times during the early summer, when 
perplexed or in doubt concerning her duty, she had 
found a ready welcome at the parsonage, and she 
had never yet regretted following the suggestions 
of the bright, winning little woman who with so 
much grace and good cheer presided there. This 
beautiful June morning of which I write, Helen 
had come to ask her friend^s opinion upon some 
question regarding the coming commencement ; for 
Helen was a member of the senior class in the sem- 
inary and there were many details concerning the 

142 


HELENAS SPECIAL WORK. 


143 


eventful day that had to be arranged. After talk- 
ing over the point to be settled they had drifted, 
as usual, to the theme dearest to both their hearts — 
the winning of souls for Christ, and it was during 
this conversation that Helen, with all a young girPs 
earnestness, said, 

I wish I could find some special work to do for 
the Master.^^ 

“Work for the Master?’^ echoed Mrs. Holland. 
“ Why, my dear, I thought you were already active 
in his service.’^ 

“ I am, in a general way ; but I would like to 
do something special for him, just as we do for our 
friends when we wish to let them know how much 
we love them,^’ explained Helen with shining eyes. 

“ What new work could you manage now, Helen, 
with all your preparations for graduating on hand 
inquired Mrs. Holland gently. 

“ I am sure I cannot tell ; but if Christ has put 
this wish into my heart, he will find a way for me 
to do extra labor or extra loving, even if my hands 
are already full,^’ urged Helen. 

“ Yes, dear ; and if he has extra work for you to 
do, he will put it in your way,^’ assented Mrs. Hol- 
land. “ What led you to this desire, Helen she 
continued with much interest. 


144 


CONSECRATED ANEW, 


^^Ever since that night when Philip gave me 
such a glad surprise by taking his stand on the 
Lord’s side I have longed to do something to prove 
my gratitude to my heavenly Father; and this de- 
sire was so intensified last night at the prayer-meet- 
ing, while we were singing that beautiful hymn, 

^ I gave myself for thee : 

What hast thou given for me?^ 


that I determined to seek out some way of making 
a real sacrifice for him who sacrificed so much for 
me ; and ever since I have been praying that some 
way may be opened that will enable me to realize 
my desire/’ 

That is the right way to find out what work 
the Lord has in preparation for you,” said Mrs. 
Holland. Keep on praying, for he has not put 
this desire in your heart without a purpose of fulfill- 
ment and then she added softly, ^^God grant 
you may be willing to accept it when it is shown 
to you !” 

^^Oh, I shall, I shall gladly accept it,” replied 
Helen earnestly. I am looking and longing for 
the opportunity to prove my great love and grati- 
tude to him who died for me — to him who has 
redeemed my poor fallen brother.” 


HELEN’S SPECIAL WORK. 


145 


will give you grace to make the sacrifice 
when the trial comevs/^ said Mrs. Holland cheer- 
fully. 

Trial ! Oh, Mrs. Holland, it will be no trial 
to deny myself for Christ’s sake, after all that he 
has done for me and mine. It will be a pleasure, 
rather — a real pleasure to have the privilege of 
doing something for him,” Helen replied con- 
fidently as she rose to go. Good-bye, and thank 
you for your helpful suggestions and loving in- 
terest.” 

Poor child ! how self-confident she is,” said 
Mrs. Holland to herself as she watched her young 
guest trip lightly away. She is sure she will not 
deny her Lord ; and Peter was, too, but how 
wretchedly he fell ! T hope Helen will not forget to 
look above for help.” 

' A few days later, Helen called again to engage 
some white roses for her hair on graduation-day, 
which was near at hand, and in the course of their 
conversation Mrs. Holland said, 

^‘You will wear white, of course; all young 
girls do on important occasions like this.” 

My dress is beautiful, Mrs. Holland,” Helen 
responded eagerly. I thought I had told you 
about it ; but the fact is, dress is not the most im- 



146 


CONSECRATED ANEW. 


portant subject with me now, as it was once, and 
we had so many other things to talk about that I 
entirely forgot to mention it. I wish you could see 
my dress for I am sure you would agree wuth me 
that it is a beauty. It is white, of course — white 
silk, and trimmed in lace. The trimming is plain 
but rich — elegant, but not a bit showy.’^ 

It will be quite as stylish as Nettie Abes’s,’^ said 
Mrs. Holland. Hers is satin with bead-and-lace 
trimming. I think it must have cost a large sum 
of money 

^^Hers is more expensive than mine, but I do 
not like it so well,’^ remarked Helen. It is too 
gay for the occasion.’^ 

There is one young girl in your class who will 
not be over-dressed on that day,’^ said Mrs. 
Holland. I refer to Lois Dean, who lives with 
her widowed mother down by the woolen-mills.^^ 
^^Yes, I am very well acquainted with Lois,^^ 
replied Helen. She is quite a bright girl, even if 
she is poor.’^ 

So I understand,^^ answered Mrs. Holland. 
^^But being a bright girl does not keep her 
from being unhappy because she cannot dress as 
liicely as her classmates.’’ 

^at is foolish in her to fret over such an insig- 


HELENAS SPECIAL WORK. 


147 


nificant thing/^ responded Helen. one will 

expect her to dress as handsomely as those who can 
better afford it. Clothes that would be very modest 
for the rest of us would be extravagant for her in 
her mother^s straitened circumstances, and Lois 
ought to see this.’^ 

No doubt she does ; but yet, Helen, you know 
it is by no means pleasant to be conspicuously plain 
in such a public place. She must be content with 
her simple white muslin, as it is the best her 
mother can afford — or ought to be, rather, for she 
is not, though, of course, she must wear it,^^ Mrs. 
Holland explained. When her mother made your 
pretty muslin last week Lois hoped it was to be 
your graduating dress; but she has since learned 
that you are to be dressed more handsomely than 
any of the othei’s, and she is very wretch ed.^^ 

Foolish girl ! Did she really expect me to ap- 
pear in that plain, cheap muslin ? Why, it would 
be a disgrace to the whole family. I am sure 
father would not be pleased, when he gave me the 
money to purchase something better and more in 
keeping with his circumstances,’^ Helen responded 
somewhat indignantly. 

There would certainly be no disgrace in wear- 
ing that pretty, simple muslin if you chose to do 


148 


CONSECRATED ANEW. 


returned Mrs. Holland after a moment’s hesita- 
tion. To my own mind nothing is more appro- 
priate or becoming to young girls than modest 
white dresses — simple and pure.” 

That dress would be all right if I had none 
better/’ insisted Helen ; but under existing ciiv 
cumstances it would be prudish for me to wear 
such a thing. Father is able to afford me a more 
elaborate outfit, and people would say he was stingy 
if he did not.” 

^^Did you ever hear of such a thing as conse- 
crated wealth, Helen? Do you not think it pos- 
sible that your special sacrifice for the Master might 
lie along this line?” questioned Mrs. Holland with 
slight hesitancy. She was not just sure of the 
ground upon w^hich she might be stepping, and 
waited anxiously for the result of her venture. 

Why, Mrs. Holland !” exclaimed Helen, while 
she fairly caught her breath in astonishment. I 
did not understand you before, and certainly do not 
yet. Do you really mean that you think Jesus 
demands this sacrifice of me ? It cannot be possi- 
ble that he wants me to do what you suggest.” 

I leave that with you to decide, dear. You 
remember you said you were anxious to make a 
sacrifice,” replied Mrs. Holland. 


HELENAS SPECIAL WORK. 


149 


'■ Yes, and I am still ; but this is so different 
from what I expected/’ admitted Helen. can 
scarcely believe that he is calling me to make this 
self-denial. He certainly does not care for such 
little things as dress. I think he wishes us to make 
ourselves as attractive as possible. He would not 
have made the world so beautiful if he had not.” 

Not a sparrow falls to the ground without his 
notice, Helen, and I am persuaded that nothing we 
do or say is beneath his care,” rejoined Mrs. Hol- 
land. There is a principle involved in this 
matter of dress — a gospel of love — and if you choose 
to make a sacrifice for the sake of a class-mate, one 
out of Christ, you may rest assured that it will be 
accepted in the same spirit in which it is made.” 

Helen buried her face in her hands for a few 
minutes, and then, rising, said in a low, agitated 
voice, 

I cannot decide this point just now,” and Mrs. 
Holland, convinced that she wished to be alone 
with God while wrestling for a right decision, did 
not press her to continue her call longer. 

The next evening, just at sunset, Helen came 
back with a look of triumph on her face, and 
before she had time to speak Mrs. Holland cried 
gladly, 


150 


CONSECRATED ANEW. 


my dear, I need not ask what the decision 
is : I see victory in your eyes/^ 

Yes, my wise counselor ; although the fight with 
selfish pride was severe, the victory was complete. 
Shall I tell you about the struggle inquired 
Helen, sitting down by her friend and taking her 
hand in a loving way. Have you time to hear 
how I came near denying my Master as Peter 

did r 

I have always time to hear of God’s goodness 
to his children,” Mrs. Holland said earnestly. It 
strengthens me to hear of their conflicts and tri- 
umphs.” 

You are aware what a fierce struggle was going 
on in my bosom when I left you yesterday,” Helen 
began. When I reached home I went directly 
to my room for heart-examination, and I was sur- 
prised to find how thoroughly selfish I was, and 
that, too, after I thought that I had laid myself 
wholly on God’s altar. I tried to compromise with 
my conscience by persuading myself that the sacri- 
fice you suggested was not required, and yet down 
deep in my heart I felt that it was a sacrifice which 
he was ofiering me in answer to prayer — tliat it 
was the special thing which I had been praying that 
I might be permitted to do for Christ. But even 


HELENAS SPECIAL WORK. 


151 


when I was fully convinced that God was calling 
for this surrender of my will, I strove against giv- 
ing up to my better judgment, and the knowledge 
of this, I think, more than anything else, enabled 
me to decide as I did. I was frightened that a 
sacrifice so small in itself could seem so great to 
me. I had in the last few weeks over and over 
again consecrated my all to Him who died for me, 
and yet I was not willing to deny myself in such a 
trifling matter as dress. I prayed then as I never 
prayed before; for, do you know, Mrs. Holland, I 
began to fear that after all I might be mistaken 
about being a child of God ? The thought was ter- 
rible, and when the victory was given me, it seemed 
as if the Spirit so filled my soul that no room was 
left for self.^^ 

Helen paused to wipe away the glad tears from 
her eyes, and, slipping her arm lovingly around 
her, Mrs. Holland whispered, 

^^The reward always exceed’s the sacrifice. It 
w ill be no cross now for you to wear your pretty 
muslin, and I am quite sure Lois will bless you for 
the kindness shown her.’^ 

There is another pleasure in store for Lois, in 
whom I have become deeply interested. You know 
how humiliating it would have been for her to re- 


152 


CONSECRATED ANEW. 


ceive no presents when all the rest of the girls were 
lavishly remembered ; so, instead of buying the ex- 
pensive gloves my silk dress demanded, I am 
going to buy her a basket of fresh flowers/^ 

1 am so glad the good Father put that idea into 
your head — or, rather, heart — my dear ! It is a 
Christly thought, and, since you have spoken of it, 
I am going to follow your example, do without a 
new umbrella, and buy a pretty book of poems for 
Lois. How surprised and happy she will be, poor 
child ! You have found your special work for the 
Master, dear.^^ ’ 

^^The Spirit prompted you to find it for me,’’ 
sweetly answered Helen. never would have 

found it for myself. I thought I was willing for 
any sacrifice, but I can look back now and under- 
stand that I wanted to choose what the self-denial 
should be. How hard it is to give up self, to say 
truly, 

“ ‘ Oh, to be nothing, nothing. 

Only to lie at his feet, 

A broken and empty vessel. 

For the Master’s service meet’ I’’ 

That is a height to which very few attain this 
side of heaven ; but you must not be discouraged, 
no matter how many failures you make. We as- 


HELEN’S SPECIAL WORK, 


153 


cend step by step, but, though the progress may be 
slow and uncertain, with our hand firmly clasped 
in that of our heavenly Father we are sure of a re- 
ward, for the promise is to all who overcome/^ 
After commencement Helen had a new, sweet 
story to tell — a story that had more meaning in it 
to the two souls interested than any one outside 
of the charmed inner circle would have guessed. 

Your plan worked beautifully, my dear,^^ com- 
plimented Mrs. Holland when Helen made her 
next visit to the parsonage. How did Lois accept 
the sacrifice made for her special comfort?’^ 

^^Very graciously indeed,’^ replied Helen hum- 
bly. She seemed very much surprised when her 
eyes rested on me, and when I nodded to her she 
smiled so pleasantly that I was sure she understood 
why the costly dress that had been discussed by the 
girls more than once was not to put her simple 
muslin to blush that day. From that moment a 
spirit of self-respect seemed to take possession of 
her, and when we marched side by side into the 
hall she walked with a dignity altogether new to 
her. Her essay was read with remarkable ease and 
grace, and when the flowers and book were passed 
to her, her brown eyes filled with happy tears. 
She felt that she was appreciated by some per- 


154 


CONSECRATED ANEW, 


sons, though there were no names on the accom- 
panying cards. 

am so glad that the poor child took the 
kindness as it was meant said Mrs. Holland. I 
have heard that she was growing hard and skep- 
tical, as the unfortunate poor so frequently do, and 
I feared she might resent the well-meant act as 
patronizing.’^ 

I am sure she did not. I was sure of this fact 
when I looked into her beaming face from among: 

o o 

the roses that day, but I was not prepared for the 
result of that day’s work when she came to me this 
morning with the acknowledgment that she made. 
This is what she said : 

^ Helen Priest, you once asked me if I loved 
your Saviour, and I am sure you have not for- 
gotten my answer, which I saw then shocked you 
grievously. I told you the truth that day, for I 
had no love for Jesus then, neither did I wish to 
hear you sing the praises of a Father who made so 
much difference in providing for his children. I 
blamed God because he had denied me the comforts 
and luxuries with which the rest of you girls were 
surrounded. You might have talked religion to 
me from that day until now without influencing me 
in the least ; but your loving deed, which I know 


HELENAS SPECIAL WORK. 


155 


was no small sacrifice, has pleaded for your Saviour 
far more eloquently than any words could have 
done. I believe in that kind of religion that goes 
out into the world and walks about as the Master 
did, doing good. And now, Helen, I wish to. tell 
you that if loving Jesus can do for me what it has 
done for you, I want to rise up immediately and 
follow him.’^’ 

^^What beautiful testimony that was for the 
Master said Mrs. Holland. 

“ I could find no words full enough of meaning 
to answer her, and simply took her hand in mine 
while I quoted, 

‘ Oh, let thy life be given, 

Thy years for me be spent, ‘ 

World-fetters all be riven 
And joy with suffering blent. 

I gave myself for thee : 

Give thou thyself to me.’ 

‘ Is that the way, Helen V she inquired. 
^ If I give myself to Christ, will he subdue my self- 
ish pride, which hitherto has made of me a moral 
coward? Will he accept such a wicked, deformed 
life at any cost?^ 

^ Though your sins be as scarlet, they shall be 
as white as snow,^ I repeated. ‘Come to Jesus just 


156 


CONSECRATED ANEW, 


as you are^ and rest assured he will accept^ cleanse 
and save you. God can change the most selfish, 
hardened heart that ever beat in a human body/ 
I assured her, as she seemed to hesitate. 

^ Then/ she declared, with firm decision, ^ I 
give myself, body and soul, to him this minute/ 
and I believe God accepted the gift.^^ 

Ah, Helen, your reward is far greater than your 
sacrifice. In blessing others you have blessed your- 
self, for there is no blessing to be compared to that 
of being the means of leading others to Christ.^^ 

^^To God be all the glory,^^ murmured Helen. 

Everything is in our Father’s hand, and I am 
glad that he always leads us where he would have 
us go. He saw what discipline both our proud 
natures needed, and he wrought out the deliverance 
that has come to both Lois and myself. I know 
that he makes no mistakes.” 

^^He is always our refuge and our strength, and 
over and over have I proved him to be a very 
present help in trouble,” said Mrs. Holland, her 
strong faith shining in her beaming countenance. 

He has promised that the Spirit shall come to us 
— shall dwell in us, and we may always follow 
where he leads.” 

‘‘ What if I had refused to obey the promptings 


HELEN’S SPECIAL WORK, 


157 


of the Holy Spirit asked Helen with a shudder, 
as if just begiuniug to realize her responsibility in 
the case. Lois might not have found the Saviour, 
and I should have been held accountable for her 
lost soul.^^ 

/^And you would have one star less in your 
crown of rejoicing,’’ said Mrs. Holland sweetly. 


CHAPTER XVI. 

A NEW LEADER, 

“For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto 
good works/^ 

the very beginning it had been the cus- 
tom of the young people’s society at Glendale 
to put their new members to work as soon as they 
were received ; hence Philip Priest was not sur- 
prised, a few evenings after he had united with the 
church and subscribed to the constitution of the 
Christian Endeavor Society, to be appointed to lead 
the next meeting. He knew that the best prayer- 
meeting was not accidental, and at once began pray- 
ing for it, preparing for it, working for it. Taking 
one or two of the most consecrated members into 
his confidence, they met together for a few minutes 
every evening of the week preceding, and prayed 
earnestly for a blessing on the meeting. They 
prayed for those who should attend and take part ; 
for those who could attend and participate, and 
would not ; for the musical service ; for the leader ; 

168 


A NEW LEADER, 


159 


in short, for all the interests of the meeting. The 

self-formed committee invited outsiders to come, 

/ 

and during the whole week their thoughts crystal- 
lized around the topic of the evening. 

With such a preparation, a blessed meeting was 
ensured. There were no long pauses in the volun- 
tary service ; the prayers and remarks, though brief, 
were earnest, consecrated and peculiarly tender; and 
when an opportunity was given for testimony-bear- 
ing, lips that had never been unsealed before in such 
a meeting were opened to witness for Jesus. One 
young man, a perfect stranger, arose and asked to 
be remembered in their prayers. He said that he 
had been invited by the leader to come to the meet- 
ing, and, though not a church-going man, he was 
so grateful for the courtesy shown him, a lonely 
stranger, that he had determined on the spot to 
come. The touching service had brought back the 
teaching of his mother, for years in heaven, and he 
wished to return to her God. A young boy said 
that two young ladies had visited his home during 
the illness of a dear sister, and had given the family 
so much help and comfort that he had come to see 
what kind of a place the church was to which the 
ladies invited him. He liked the people who no- 
ticed even the poor and wretched, such as he was, 


160 


CONSECRATED ANEW. 


and he longed to have a friend like Jesus to love 
him and care for him. Would they please pray 
for him? 

I love Jesus now, too, and I want you to thank 
him for my Sabbath- school teacher, who led me to 
him.’^ 

Helen started, for that voice could belong to no 
one except Dick Morris, the most troublesome boy 
in her class. Was it possible that he had been 
brought into the kingdom, and was already rejoic- 
ing in a Saviour’s love? What if she had refused 
to take that class, as she was tempted to do on the 
morning when the superintendent had come to her 
with the request? Several of the other boys who 
belonged to her class were present also, and from 
their earnest faces she could tell that they too were 
deeply interested. Even while she was sending up 
a silent petition on their behalf, another of them 
stood up with a request for prayer on his lips. 
With a heart throbbing with thanksgiving she 
listened to the earnest petitions that were ascending 
heavenward, and after a^ little wdiile, when she 
could control her voice, she joined in the brief 
prayers that were going up from loving hearts for 
troubled souls. 

These requests for prayer followed each other in 


A NEW LEADER. 


161 


quick succession, and so deep did the interest in the 
meeting grow that when the hour of adjournment 
arrived arrangements for an after-meeting were 
quickly made; but, though a few minutes were 
given for those who wished to go to pass out, no 
one went. Even at the close of the second hour, 
an hour of most fervent prayer and direct personal 
work, the young people went away with reluctant 
steps. 

Somebody has been praying,’’ said Mr. Holland 
a little later, after giving his wife a glowing ac- 
count of the intensely interesting meeting. 

Yes,” was the reply. ‘^You have been pray- 
ing, the young people have been praying, and we 
all have been praying for weeks and months for 
just such a blessing. Thank God for answered 
prayers !” 

And yet we are surprised when our prayers are 
answered,” said Mr. Holland. This is manifestly 
God’s own work. We have been waiting long for 
the promise of the Father— the outpouring of the 
Spirit ; still, when the blessing comes, we scarcely 
know how to receive it. It is so much more 
abundant than we expected.” 

I am afraid that we have not been expecting it 

at all — at least, not just now. There is such a dis- 
11 


162 


CONSECRATED ANEW. 


position even among Chidstians to look for revivals 
only at certain seasons of the year. This set time 
usually follows the week of prayer, and is no doubt 
dependent upon the petitions that go up from God^s 
children during that period, when the whole world 
is bowed in humble supplication. It is right to 
expect great blessings then, but it is limiting God 
to conclude that he cannot send a revival at any 
time,’^ argued Mrs. Holland. 

According to our faith we receive answers to 
our prayers,’^ assented Mr. Holland. great 

many petitions have gone up from consecrated 
hearts in this place during the months that have 
elapsed since we organized our young people for 
work, and yet I feel that the marvelous meeting 
we enjoyed to-night came in answer to special 
prayer.^’ 

^^You may be right,’^ admitted Mrs. Holland. 

However that may be, I am fully convinced of 
one thing : our prayers are always before the Lord. 
Months and years may pass before his time comes 
to answer them, but he never forgets our cries and 
tears. Listen w’hat is written concerning the prayers 
of God’s people;” and, opening the Bible at the 
eighth chapter of Kevelation, she read in a very 
low, tender voice : 


A NEW LEADER. 


163 


^ And another angel came and stood at the 
altar, having a golden censer ; and there was given 
unto him much incense, that he should offer it with 
the prayers of all saints upon the golden altar 
which was before the throne. And the smoke of 
the incense, which came with the prayers of the 
saints, ascended up before God out of the angeFs 
hand.’ 

Could anything be more comforting, more as- 
suring? I think we scarcely realize how very 
precious God’s thoughts are toward us.” 

There is a promise for every human need and 
every human woe,” Mr. Holland confessed. If 
we walk in darkness, the fault is manifestly our 
own — we fail to grasp the helping hand extended. 
Ah, what wonderful provision our Father has 
made for us !” 

^^And everything is ready, waiting for our ac- 
ceptance,” rejoined Mrs. Holland. 

Yes, everything,” repeated her husband. And 
yet we have a part to perform in this work of soul- 
saving. We are commanded to work out our sal- 
vation, and I hold that there are two parts, the 
human and the divine, to every victory that we 
gain over the world. It is an old but very true 
saying that ^God helps those who help them- 


164 


CONSECRATED ANEW, 


selves/ We cannot pray too much, but it is neces- 
sary to help God answer our prayers by putting 
into our work all the elements of success that are 
needed to obtain the victory. If we expect to wear 
a crown in the end, we must be content to carry a 
cross while fighting our way to the skies.^^ 

^ To the victor belongs the spoil, ^ repeated 
Mrs. Holland thoughtfully. I have been think- 
ing, while you were talking, of the very small re- 
turns that I have made or can make to the Father 
above who has given so much to me. With my 
little children to care for I have so little time for 
outside work that I sometimes feel I am a very 
useless servant.” 

What higher service could a mother perform 
than training immortal souls for the skies?” ques- 
tioned Mr. Holland. Ah, Alice, you little know 
the influence you are sending out from your nar- 
row corner in the world. Were it not for your 
staying up my hands, I fear I should fail utterly. 
No matter how discouraging things may appear, 
there is encouragement in the thought that in the 
little home-nest, hidden among the trees, a dear 
little woman is constantly praying for me. 

^^To whom do the young people go with their 
worries and perplexities but to the same busy little 


A NEW LEADER. 


165 


woman? And then, Alice, what of the influence 
of that mother’s prayer-meeting held in the little 
upper room of your own home? I thought of 
those praying mothers to-night when Philip Priest, 
so full of the Spirit, stood before us so completely 
transformed. Who can estimate the blessings that 
he has received through the medium of that little 
band of praying women, among whom his mother 
has always been found? Truly, holy as heaven 
is a mother’s love, a mother’s work, a mother’s 
prayers.” 

Before adjourning that Wednesday evening the 
young people had arranged for another meeting on 
the following evening ; and so deep was the interest 
manifested that the prayer-service was continued 
from night to night for more than three weeks. It 
was a very busy season, too, and the weather was 
exceedingly warm, but no inconveniences or discom- 
forts were serious enough to keep the people, old 
and young, away. There was no excitement, only 
a deep, quiet work of grace going on in the hearts 
of the people, and yet, night after night, the church 
was thronged with anxious souls asking what they 
should do to be saved. 

Tlie old men and women looked on in amaze- 
ment, but the pastor said earnestly, ^^It is God’s 


166 


CONSECRATED ANEW, 


presence in our midst. We have long been praying 
for the outpouring of the Spirit, and now let us 
open our hearts wide to receive him.’^ 

The good work of the ingathering of souls went 
on until nearly a hundred new converts were added 
to the church. The glorious work of grace ex- 
tended to other churches in the town likewise; and 
while many were led to inquire the way of salva- 
tion for the first time, a host of careless church- 
members were truly converted, and every soul in 
Glendale was brought into close contact with the 
w^ay and offer of salvation by direct personal 
work. 


CHAPTER XVII. 


AS OTHERS SEE US. 

“ I do not ask thee, Lord, to be explaining 
The many mysteries of my life to me ; 

I only ask thee. Lord, for grace sustaining 
To bear the burden which seems fit to thee/’ 

O IT down, Miss Helen, and rest yourself while 

^ I lift off the kettle/^ 

Helen Priest took the chair that thrifty little 
Mrs. Smith placed for her near the door of her 
steaming kitchen. She had run across the back lot 
with her own fine laces to be done up, and was hot 
and fiushed. 

The weather was not oppressive, but things had 
not all gone smoothly at home that morning, and 
Helen was not in the most amiable mood imagina- 
ble, — this so soon after having renewed her con- 
secration vows, too. She was still so very human ! 

^^What have you in that kettle, Mrs. Smith 
Helen asked, catching a whiff of an unpleasant 
odor. 


167 


168 


CONSECRATED ANEW. 


The little woman laughed cheerily as she 
answered, 

I am making a syrup for one of my big boys, 
whose cough has become very troublesome. Does 
its piney smell disturb you?’^ 

I thought it was disagreeable at first, but since 
I know what it is, I like it.’^ 

A good breeze will carry it away,’^ Mrs. Smith 
said brightly, taking the kettle off. It’s done, at 
any rate, and it is time that my soup-bone was on,” 
she added, placing a smaller kettle on the stove. 

My folks are taking more soup than usual this 
week,’ cause grandma Brown needs a little help. 
She’s sick, you see, and n>y blessed boys, every one 
of ’em, agreed to go without pie and live a little 
plainer to keep her till she gets around again. Poor 
old woman ! she has no folks of her own, you 
know.” 

I declare. Aunt Phoebe, you find more ways to 
help people than any one I know. I do not believe 
you make a single cent off your boarders, and cook- 
ing is such slavish work, too ! You would make a 
great deal more doing up fine laces,” argued Helen. 

I know it, my dear child,” the happy woman 
admitted. I know it ; but I may want some one 
to mother my boys, should they ever go alone into 


AS OTHERS SEE US. 


169 


a strange city. I don’t mind one bit giving up the 
front room up stairs, nor letting them have a fire 
evenings and Sundays when it is chilly : it keeps 
’em out of temptation, you know. It made me feel 
like cryin’ to see the bare attic room and the vile 
stuff they got to eat when they boarded down at 
the club ; for you know they can’t pay more than 
two dollars a week, nohow. They help at night 
for their washin’, and their little bit of mendin’ I 
do while they read the papers to me from dark to 
bed -time. You ought to see the letter Jim’s 
mother sent to me, thankin’ me for motherin’ her 
poor boy. It made me cry for very gladness. Just 
think. Miss Helen, he’s give up cards and tobacco 
altogether, and no nicer-talkiu’ boy could be about 
the house. Then Joe, he has the cough I was 
tellin’ you about ; he is entirely too sickly to be 
among folks who would not look after him. Oh, 
I’m glad to have ’em, for you see it is so little that 
a poor body like me can do for my Master and 
her face shone with a satisfaction that was restful 
to see, yet brought a mist to Helen’s eyes — a mist 
that was not caused just exactly by the steaming 
kettle. This is for your laces,” said Aunt Phoebe 
brightly, placing a new tin kettle by the side of 
her dinner-pot. The sun is goin’ to shine after a 


170 


CONSECRATED ANEW. 


little, and I want ^em out a few minutes before I 
hand-dry ^em. You see, it makes ’em a heap 
nicer. The sunshine is a mighty good thing to 
take out stains and whiten up things generally.” 

If any one would suspect the sun of good in- 
tentions such a gloomy day, it would be you. Aunt 
Phoebe,” laughed Helen. Don’t you get tired of 
this humdrum work among pots and kettles ?” 

My ! no, honey ! my life’s among ’em, and I 
wouldn’t feel at home anywhere else. Emmy — 
she’s my sister, you know — well, she frets lots and 
lots about Sam not bein’ more forehanded, and 
earnin’ a better livin’, but I tell her he’s slow but 
sure, just what the good Lord made him, and I am 
satisfied. Providence has been mighty good to me 
and mine. Miss Helen, and I am not the one to set 
up my weak judgment against his, nohow.” 

Just then a faint cry from the bedroom caught 
the woman’s ear, and oh, if you could only have 
seen how that plain, freckled face became glorified 
with the look of love that flashed over it ! 

A few minutes later the mother came out of the 
bedroom with her baby, her little helpless Willie, 
clasped lovingly to her breast. He was a beau- 
tiful child, fair and sweet to look upon ; but, alas ! 
the tiny feet that peeped out from beneath the snowy 


AS OTHERS SEE US. 


171 


Dight-clress would never walk. He is the dearest 
of the lot/’ she said, almost smothering him with 
kisses. ^^They are all precious, Miss Helen — the 
girls in heaven and the boys I keep — but Willie 
is the sweetest one of all. He’ll always be my 
baby, and I’ll never worry over him, for he’ll 
never be able to go out in the cold world to earn 
his livin’ as the other ones must do. Isn’t it a 
blessin’. Miss Helen?” 

‘^He is the most beautiful child I ever saw,” 
answered the young girl, touching her lips to the lit- 
tle one’s brow’. God bless you. Aunt Phoebe, for 
the lesson you have taught me. You have preached 
the best sermon I ever heard.” 

Why, Helen Priest, how you talk !” said Aunt 
Phoebe in surprise. I never could talk religion 
like other folks — never. I have no education to 
speak of, you know, and then I am not gifted, 
nohow. If you feel better, it’s because you’ve had 
a run in the air. There’s nothin’ like the mornin’ 
breeze to rally low spirits. I’ll have your laces 
ready in time for the meetin’ this afternoon. 
There’s the sun this blessed minute. I knew it 
would not fail me. It never does.” 

^^The sun always seems to be shining for her,” 
Helen murmured to herself as she hurried down 


172 


CONSECRATED ANEW, 


the walk to the gate. As she turned the corner a 
voice rang out, clear and strong, from the little cot- 
tage. Helen stopped short to listen, and these words 
fell sweetly on her ear : 

“ O happy day ! O happy day, 

When Jesus washed my sins away ! 

He taught me how to watch and pray, 

And live rejoicing every day.” 

No one but Jesus could have taught her that 
blessed lesson of perfect contentment,’^ sighed Helen 
as the song ended. How very little she has to be 
thankful for ! and yet she can gather good out of 
every providence, no matter how dark. What a 
blessing it is to have such a sunshiny disposition ! 
No one could become gloomy where she is. She 
carries the gospel about with her in her face, and 
in even her smallest dealings with her friends and 
neighbors she practices its loving precepts. I mean 
to copy after her, and try to let my life preach in 
everything I do hereafter.” 

When Helen made that declaration she fully in- 
tended to try to make the most of her every-day 
opportunities ; but it is hard to outgrow one’s habits 
so suddenly, and before bed-time she had reason to 
regret that she had forgotten Mrs. Smith’s object- 


AS OTHERS SEE US. 


173 


lesson so soon. It was to her own little sister Bessie 
that she refused a helping hand this time, forgetting 
in her haste that she. had once been puzzled over 
just such easy, insignificant questions as now per- 
plexed the little girl. You don’t try, Bessie,” she 
had said positively when the child appealed to her. 

Why, anybody can understand such plain, simple 
questions as those,” glancing hastily at the open 
book. 

^‘Well, I can’t, and there is no use trying if 
some one don’t explain them,” answered Bessie 
petulantly. 

Study them out yourself and you will never 
forget them,” Helen urged, a little impatiently. 

I might if I could find a starting-place, but — 
but — well, if I were making an arithmetic, I would 
leave fractions out entirely,” said Bessie, closing her 
book in a determined way. 

Suppose you try what virtue there is in a big 
brother’s right hand,” suggested Philip, coming into 
the room quite unexpectedly. There was a time, 
not so far back, either, when I delighted to get hold 
of a tough question.” 

^^Oh, Phil, will you help me, really?” cried 
Bessie with delight. 

Certainly, little girl,” replied Phil. ‘^1 am 


174 


CONSECRATED ANEW, 


glad of the chance of making myself useful — that 
is, if I douH happen to flounder myself/^ 

^‘No danger of that,^^ laughed Bessie. do 
wish I liked arithmetic; but I don’t, and never 
shall, especially fractions.” 

“ ^ Multiplication is vexation ; 

Division is as bad; 

' The rule of three perplexes me, 

And fractions drive me mad,’ ” 

repeated Phil lightly, leading the way into the 
dining-room, where they would not be interrupted. 

Helen was a little ashamed that she had been so 
unaccommodating, but turned to her papers with a 
sigh of relief as the door closed behind the laugh- 
ing pair. 

There are many things besides figures that per- 
plex people nowadays,” remarked Aunt Miriam, 
glancing from the little red stocking she was knit- 
ting to the flushed face of her niece. 

‘Mt is very hard to get all the knots and snarls 
out of the web of life we are weaving day by day,” 
ventured Helen, a little puzzled as to her aunt’s 
exact meaning. 

Especially when we keep tangling the threads 
anew while the work goes on,” assented Aunt 


AS OTHERS SEE US. 


175 


Miriam. doubt there will be many a flaw in 

the' warp and woof of our weaving which the left- 
out parts might have made smooth and strong and 
beautiful.'’ 

Some of the parts have to be left out, aunt/' 
returned Helen, catching the meaning of her 
words. It would be impossible to perform all 
the labor that presents itself as the days go by. 
There must necessarily be a division of work : one 
cannot do everything." » 

That is very true, Helen ; one should not at- 
tempt to do everything. It would be selfish, when 
there are so many willing workers in the field," 
said Aunt Miriam in a gentle voice. ‘^It is the 
choice of work, more than the amount performed, 
to which I refer. You are a very busy girl, and 
your enthusiasm in the Master's cause is praise- 
worthy ; still, Helen, I fear that this outside work 
sometimes infringes on the time that belongs to 
your own — that should be devoted to your home 
duties, the duties lying all around your feet. If 
you will listen, I will tell you a little story con- 
nected with my own early girlhood." 

Helen having signified her willingness to hear. 
Aunt Miriam began : 

It was only a little insignificant incident, but 


176 


CONSECRATED ANEW. 


the lesson it taught has never been forgotten, 
though nearly a half century has passed away since 
it occurred. Early in that spring, mother was 
taken down with a low nervous fever, and, as she 
continued ill nearly all the summer, much of the 
care of the house was entrusted to us girls. As the 
oldest daughter in the family, the most important 
part of the work was assigned to me. One of my 
duties was to sweep and dust the parlor — a duty I 
considered quite an honor, since mother had always 
reserved this work for herself, so particular was she 
to have it done well. For a while I took great 
pride in keeping things looking bright and cheery, 
just as mother had done, but after the novelty had 
worn away I began to slight my work ; especially 
did I fall into a habit of neglecting the corners of 
the room when I swept. This thing went on for 
weeks, giving the moths time to work, so that 
when mother was able to walk into the parlor the 
pretty woolen carpet that it had required years of 
saving to buy was ready to fall into holes in the 
neglected corners. I remember yet how sad mother 
looked as, with hot irons, camphor and brown 
paper, she tried to undo the injury my carelessness 
had caused. I need not tell you how distressed I 
was at witnessing her disappointment ; for, though 


AS OTHERS SEE US, 


177 



the destruction was stayed by her prompt action, no 
amount of doctoring could ever make the corners 
of the carpet new and whole again, I have found 
out since then that there are a great many neglected 
corners in the world, and I never see people slight- 
ing common, every-day duties while reaching out 
and up to the graver responsibilities of life without 
thinking of my own experience and wondering if 
their neglected corners may not in the end bring 
them trouble too/’ 

Then you think these outside duties should not 
be taken up until all the work at home is com- 
pleted ?” said Helen, looking perplexed. 

You misunderstand me, Helen,” responded 
Aunt Miriam sweetly. The two go hand in 
hand. If I had swept my corners faithfully, and 
yet left the dust lying in the middle of the room, 
the result would have been as damaging as the way 
it was. I am not finding fault with your church- 
work, but I fear you are neglecting some of the 
corners at home. To lend a helping hand to your 
brothers and sisters when they need it is just as 
much a Christian duty as to prepare your Sabbath- 
school lesson or to take an active part in the 
prayer-meeting. It is by a Christly living that we 

emphasize our profession, and nowhere more than 
12 


178 


CONSECRATED ANEW, 


in the home should we try to imitate the perfect 
Pattern. Our brightest smiles^ our sweetest words, 
our most tender ministries, belong by right to the 
loved ones around our own fireside.^^ 

I believe you are right, aunt ; but there is no 
place where it is so hard to live up to one^s stand- 
ard as in the home,’^ Helen said thoughtfully. 

Somehow there are so many petty little things to 
vex and annoy one there. All the members of the 
family seem to have a license to be cross whenever 
they take the notion.^^ 

^^Your remark is too true, Helen. Outsiders 
would not tolerate the discourtesy which members 
of a family often show to each other. It is not 
only by refusing to be accommodating to our own 
that we neglect them. If there is a grace that we 
are all stingy of, it is that of giving praise ; and yet 
it is one with which we ought to be lavish, espe- 
cially with those of our own household, whom we 
love best. If we could all work our religion right 
into our daily life, as does that woman you were talk- 
ing to to-day, how much happier we should all be ! 
I think that is the kind of living that Paul meant 
when he said, ^ Be ye followers of me, as I am of 
Christ.^ 

The world would be much better than it is to- 


AS OTHERS SEE US. 179 

day if everybody was like Mrs. Smith. I am sure 
I believe in pot-and-kettle religion, but I am not 
able to practice it yet/^ admitted Helen. ^^You 
spoke, too, of lavishing praise upon our friends. 
Don^t you think that it spoils people to flatter 
them 

^^Very few home folks will be spoiled in that 
way then,’^ admitted Aunt Miriam quietly. 

They' know they are appreeiated, whether we 
tell them or not,’^ insisted Helen, a little per- 
plexed. 

How do they know it, dear ? You think it quite 
proper to congratulate your friends outside of the 
home when they merit it; why not be as courteous 
to your own ? Why should you tell Eleanor Gray 
that her bonnet is very becoming, when you have 
never complimented Rae on her excellent taste? 
Why should you go out to tea, and praise your 
neighbor’s muffins, when you never thought to tell 
your mother that hers were delicious ? Why should 
you announce how very intelligent Mr. Brown, over 
the way, is, when, though your father is a much 
better informed man, it has never entered into your 
mind to whisper quietly in his ear how much you 
appreciate his wisdom ? Don’t wait until the family 
is broken up, and your loved ones scattered far and 




180 


CONSECRATED ANEW, 


wide, before you give them the praise they deserve. 
Tell them now how much you love them — now, 
when the walk through life is beset with cares and 
trials and temptations, and the sunshine of life is 
yearned for to lighten it and to make home what it 
should be — the sweetest, most restful place on earth.’^ 




CHAPTER XVIII. 


HELEN’S EXPERIMENT. 

“ Blessed are ye that sow beside all waters/* 

OW are you getting along with your arrange- 



ments for Christmas, Helen asked Ber- 
nice Lyle, looking significantly at the display of 
elegant holiday presents arranged artistically on the 
table by her side. 

Helen laughed good-naturedly as she followed 
the direction of her friend’s gaze. You are think- 
ing what a wonderfully vain girl that Helen Priest 
is, no doubt,” she said after a moment’s hesitation. 

^^Not at all,” Bernice answered. ^‘ The vision 
before me put me in mind of our talk on Christ- 
mas gifts a month ago, and, as I have not made 
much speed at my fancy-work, I asked to find out 
if you had succeeded any better.” 

I have done very little with my needle ; in 
fact, I have not had the time to spare ; and, be- 
sides, I have about come to the conclusion that the 


181 


182 


CONSECRATED ANEW, 


money I have been accustomed to spend so lavishly 
during the holidays might be put to a better use/^ 

You are not getting stingy, I hope?^’ laughed 
Bernice. 

trust not; but since Mr. Holland preached 
that searching sermon on the grace of giving I 
have trouble with my conscience when I think of 
the extravagant nothings I have been accustomed to 
bestow upon my friends during the gift season/^ 
was Helenas embarrassed explanation. 

And so you have taken your last year’s pres- 
ents out to view them for the last time before pack- 
ing them away for ever/’ returned Bernice with a 
merry twinkle of her eye. 

Rather, I arranged them there in that vain 
style to study of what use they had ever been to 
me. You see, I have duplicates of several things, 
and I presume my experience is only a repetition 
of the experience of almost every girl in my ac- 
quaintance. It flatters us to receive these expensive 
mementoes and to make our friends glad by our 
gifts, but what good do we accomplish thereby ? 
Could we not spend more profitably the money we 
invest in useless presents? We are only stewards 
entrusted vuth our Lord’s silver and gold, and it 
scarcely seems right to use his means in this way 


HELEN'S EXPERIMENT. 


183 


when so many of his little ones are in actual need/’ 
argued Helen. 

We cannot contract to feed all the hungry in 
our district, Helen,” insisted Bernice, a little im- 
patiently. In fact, I cannot make my allowance 
go half as far as I would like. There are plenty 
of people to whom I would be pleased to send a 
handsome present, but I must confine my gift-mak- 
ing to those from whom I am certain to receive 
something in return.” 

^^That is just it. These holiday remembrances 
have become a kind of exchange — a give-to-get 
business. This truth was impressed upon my mind 
this morning by the verses in my ‘ Daily Food 
^For if ye love them which love you, what reward 
have ye? Do not even the publicans the same? 
And if ye salute your brethren only, what do ye 
more than others ? Do not even the publicans so V 
Now, as followers of Jesus we should endeavor to 
do more for his cause than the children of the 
world do. His poor and needy are all around us, 
at our very doors, and the money we spend in gift- 
making among those we love and from whom we 
expect a return might carry many gleams of sun- 
shine into these darkened hearts and homes. The 
truth is, Bernice, I cannot conscientiously go on 


184 


CONSECRATED ANEW. 


giving as I have been doing all my life. As an 
agent of the King of heaven I shall be held responsi- 
ble for the silver and gold put into my hands. The 
amount is not great, but for every dollar I shall be 
held to strict account.” 

You seem to take a very serious view of things, 
Helen,” retorted Bernice somewhat petulantly. 

For my part, I enjoy giving and getting, though 
I presume it is not just the most Christ-like way 
of celebrating his birthday. Still, I do not see 
anything out of the way in giving and receiving; 
but if you have determined not to indulge in such 
foolishness, I must look elsewhere for my em- 
broidery patterns ;” and with a look of mock grav- 
ity on her pretty face she tripped out of the room, 
leaving Helen to finish her odd arrangements for 
Christmas alone. 

Doubtless some of the others of Helen’s young 
associates thought her peculiar, and wondered how 
she could enjoy herself distributing alms; but if 
they could have seen her bright face or looked into 
her happy heart on Christmas eve, they would 
have been convinced that ministering to God’s poor 
had certainly been a grateful service, and that the 
sacrifice made ^Gn his name” had surely been 
accepted. If they could have followed her in her 


HELENAS EXPERIMENT. 


185 


rounds and have looked into the homes brightened 
by her presence, they would have understood how a 
gift may be twice blessed, inasmuch as ‘‘it blesses 
him who gives and him who takes/^ 

The invalid in the lonely home just round the 
corner rejoiced in a set of beautiful books, such as 
she had long craved, but never before possessed. 
Her years were less than a score, but already there 
was a hectic flush on her cheeks, and as yet she had 
not surrendered herself to that Friend who alone 
can take away the sting of death. 

The little old woman who lived alone in the old 
flat-boat down by the river found herself the owner 
of a new Bible when she opened the package left at 
her door on Christmas morning. She had one 
already, to be sure, but the print was small and dim 
and her eyes were almost sightless; but in this one 
the letters were large and ])lain, and the type so 
clear and beautiful that it did not pain her eyes to 
read the precious words which she so much prized. 

Besides these, the crippled spinster — one who 
had learned patience in the furnace of affliction — 
had her “shut-in’^ hours brightened by a subscrip- 
tion to a magazine which fifty-two times in the 
year would bring sunshine into her lonely abode. 

Then there were the dolls which Helen’s own 


186 


CONSECRATED ANEW. 


hands had arrayed in dainty garments for the wee 
sick children in the hospital, and warm hoods and 
mittens for the well ones in the thriftless homes 
where such luxuries had never before been knowm. 
There, too, was a real Christmas dinner — turkey 
and cranberry sauce and pudding and pies — for the 
poor factory-girls who all the year round were 
obliged to subsist on the lean of the land. 

Helen’s allowance was much larger than usual 
this Christmas, for her father, though by no means 
a man of wealth, was generous toward the needy, 
and, when he saw how his daughter’s gift-making 
was going, became to her assistance by replenishing 
her pocket-book, which was empty long before she 
had reached the end of the list she wished to re- 
member. With her new supply other gifts, sug- 
gested by her father, such as new dresses, shoes, 
books and toys, found their way into homes just 
where they were needed ; and though the recipients 
were often left in ignorance concerning the name of 
the donor, Helen was happy, conscious that she had 
done what she could. ^ 

There was one present — a book — a story of the 
beautiful life of a young girl who was trying to 
follow, step by step, in the path her Master had 
trod, which Helen hesitated about delivering in 


HELEJS^S EXPERIMENT. 


187 


person. It was for Nan Wilson, a young girl who 
belonged to the young people’s society, and had 
been chosen with an earnest desire to help her on 
her lonely Christian course. But Helen had never 
visited in her humble home, and the fear that she 
would not be a welcome guest, that Nan would re- 
sent the visit, made her hesitate about calling, even 
on such an errand, without an invitation. 

When she reached the entrance of Butcher’s 
alley, which led to Nan’s home, she paused, unde- 
cided, but after a moment’s hesitation began pick- 
ing her steps up the dilapidated board-walk that 
even in its best .days had been an exceedingly frail 
structure. The third house on the right, a mere 
shell of a thing, was her destination, and here she 
found Nan, just as she expected, up to the elbows in 
the wash-tub. 

The poor girl stammered out some kind of an 
apology as she hastily wiped the dust from a chair 
preparatory to offering it to her visitor. The 
mother was compelled to go out to service to help 
support her family ; hence it was not at all strange 
that Nan, untrained to habits of neatness, should 
make such a miserable failure at housekeeping. 
Though embarrassed at having been caught in 
such a disorderly condition, Helen’s tact soon put 


188 


CONSECHATED ANEW. 


her at ease, so that when she left, having slipped 
the book into Naifs hands at parting, the poor girl 
was really sincere in expressing her gratitude for 
the call, brief and unexpected as it was. 

Poor Nan exclaimed Helen as soon as she 
was out of hearing. ^^If I had such a wretched 
home, I question if I should do as well as she does. 
She is one of us, she needs our help as well as our 
sympathy, and we must do something to put a little 
sunshine into her solitary life. It is not to be won- 
dered at that she always seeks to hide away in some 
neglected corner. She must be an out-and-out 
Christian, else she would not have the courage to 
go among other people, so different from herself, 
at all.^^ 

Helen had still one gift in her possession when 
she reached home, but when she went into the 
kitchen to deliver it she found Nora crying over a 
letter she had just received. ^^Have you had bad 
news from home, Nora?’^ she asked gently, laying 
her hand on the poor girFs bowed head. 

Indeed I have ! My poor old mother is gone 
— dead and buried three days ago, and I never so 
much as heard she was sick,’’ replied Nora, sobbing 
bitterly. 

Poor girl ! I pity you,” said Helen tenderly. 


HELEN’S EXPERIMENT. 


189 


I wasn’t always kind to her, either, and that’s 
what makes my heart ache so bad now,” responded 
Nora. Often and often I spoke sharp to her, and 
now she is gone and I can never tell her how sorry 
I am. It’s dreadful to be bad to your mother.” 

^^You can tell Jesus all about it,” whispered 
Helen. He is here, and he pities you.” 

I have been trying to tell him, but it is not 
like telling mother. She would just fold me in her 
arms and make me feel she was not angry.” 

‘^Jesus’ love is greater even than a mother’s,” 
urged Helen. Let him help you bear your grief 
to-day.” 

I am trying to. Miss Helen. I am so glad you 
told me about him before this trouble came,” an- 
swered Nora. I am glad, too, that you taught me 
how to write, for it pleased mother to get letters 
that I wrote myself.” 

I should have been more of a help to you, poor 
girl,” said Helen humbly ; but just now I can 
be of more use to you in the kitchen than any- 
where else ; so, while you go to your room for an 
hour’s rest, I will finish the ironing and look after 
anything else requiring attention. Here is a little 
keepsake that I came out here to give you,” she 
added as she slipped a neatly-bound Bible into the 


190 


CONSECRATED ANEW, 


poor girl’s hand. You will find many comfort- 
ing passages between its lids in this your hour of 
bereavement.” 

Nora could not trust her voice to speak, but the 
grateful look she bestowed on Helen more than re- 
paid her for the sacrifice she had made. 


CHAPTER XIX. 


THE SOCIAL. 

I feel the world we live in 
Comes before that which is to be hereafter, 

And must be dealt with first.” 

HE night after Christmas there was a com- 



mittee meeting in Dr. Priest^s library for the 
purpose of arranging the program for the social 
that was to take place two nights later. Herbert 
Garde, Eleanor Gray and Helen constituted the 
committee, but as Phil and Rae chanced to be 
snugly fixed in warm corners of the room, they 
were invited to remain. 

Let us give Nan Wilson something to do this 
time,’^ Helen said thoughtfully. ^^Her place in 
that back seat is never vacant, and yet she never 
takes any part in the meetings. She does not feel 
at home among us.’^ 

Eleanor looked up surprised, and Herbert smiled 
incredulously ; but when Helen urged the appoint- 
ment, they both acknowledged that they had 
thought the suggestion was made in irony. 


192 


CONSECRATED ANEW. 


Why, nothing short of a cyclone could stir that 
girl out of the corner to which she seems glued/^ 
laughed Rae. The very idea of her taking a 
leading part in a church social, or a social of any 
kind, is ridiculous/^ 

^^She has never been invited to take a part in 
anything, Rae,’^ explained Helen. She is a 
member of our society, and because she is a little 
queer we have neglected her. I fear she has had 
very few encouraging words since she signified her 
desire to be one of us.’^ 

do not think we have slighted her, Helen — 
at least not intentionally. Rather, has she not 
evaded us?’’ questioned Eleanor. Still, T am 
glad that you spoke of her, and if there is anything 
that we can do to make her feel more at home 
among us, I am willing to do my part, for she does 
seem lonely and neglected.” 

It seems to me that Helen is the first to think 
of everybody in need of assistance,” said Herbert • 
approvingly. 

It took her a long time to find out poor Nan, 
who has been a fixture in that nobody’s pew for 
months and months,” exclaimed Rae mischievously. 
^^But I presume that even tardy consideration is 
better than no consideration at all.” 


THE SOCIAL. 


103 


As I do not wish to take credit that does not 
belong to me, I must tell you what led me to think 
of poor Nan Wilson’s loneliness and our duty to 
her/’ said Helen quietly ; and then she told them 
something about Aunt Miriam’s plain talk, and how 
it had suggested many neglected corners. Nan 
Wilson, in nobody’s pew, among others. 

‘‘ I am quite sure that there are many wee bits 
of work by the wayside that we might do for the 
Master if we would only keep our eyes open,” 
Eleanor admitted. ^^The more I understand and 
feel the religion of Jesus, the more I am convinced 
that it is to be lived as well as professed. We must 
carry it with us everywhere, and let its influence be 
felt even in the smallest and most commonplace 
duties of life.” 

Life, as you picture it, is a fearful responsibil- 
ity,” said Philip soberly. 

^Mt would be had we to live it out alone,” an- 
swered Eleanor. ^^Our Father has promised us 
strength for the day, and he knows our frame, he 
remembers that we are dust, and we have his own 
words for it that he pitieth us as a father pitieth 
his children.” 

There is one thing we are too apt, in the busy, 

restless whirl of our lives, to neglect, and that is 
18 


194 


CONSECRATED ANEW, 


soul-culture/^ remarked Herbert. ^^We do not 
pray enough ; we are not alone with God as often 
as becomes children of the King. While we are 
busy here and there our closets are neglected, so 
that, instead of growing in grace, our souls become 
lean and withered for lack of food and drink — the 
bread and water of life. The heart truly desires 
Christ more than all else, longs to get away from 
noise and argument and be still before God, tliat, 
unhindered, it may hear his voice. ^They that 
wait upon the Lord shall renew their strength / 
and, having waited upon him with patience and 
trust, believing God, can Ave not enter his service 
with a supply of grace and wisdom which no 
amount of human agency can inspire? The more 
we are alone with him, and the more we search into 
the plan of salvation as recorded in his blessed 
Word, the sooner shall we be in possession of the 
hidden treasure which it contains. If our hearts 
are always going out gatliering the wisdom of the 
world, it will be impossible for us to heed the still 
small voice that so often pleads with us. It is a 
rare thing to fiud a soul still enough to hear God 
speak. We hear well enough that he is speaking 
and asking something of us, but we cannot distin- 
guish what he says, and are often glad we cannot.^^ 


THE SOCIAL. 


195 


No soul can grow in grace that does not hold 
daily intercourse with Heaven/’ Philip said hum- 
bly. have not had much experience in the 

Christian life, but it seems to me that there can be 
no such thing as a prayerless Christian. The two 
words are contradictory.” 

And this neglected corner most generally 
accounts for slighted work in other less responsible 
places,” Helen assented. He who prays well lives 
well.” 

Then to live well we ought to help answer our 
own prayers by taking up the Master’s work wher- 
ever we see there is need,” asserted Herbert. 

Now, that brings us back to Nan Wilson and 
the good we are going to do to her by setting her to 
work,” rejoined Eleanor quickly. Will we put 
her on for an essay ?” 

No ; give her something she can do,” responded 
Helen. 

Appoint her a captain in a charade,” suggested 
Phil. '' If she does not know how to play the 
game, spend five minutes to-morrow teaching her 
what will be expected of her.” 

That is a bright idea, Phil,” exclaimed Eleanor 
with enthusiasm. I am certain Nan will be de- 
lighted to do her part as well as she knows how. 


196 


CONSECRATED ANEW. 


Poor girl! she has never had any experience in 
anything except hard work/^ 

Nan Wilson is not the only one who attends 
our meetings without having part or lot in thein/^ 
said Herbert. Jack Dye is as regular as a clock, 
and George Irwin occupies the back seat on every 
evening, rain or shine.^^ 

They are not members, though,’’ replied Rae 
quickly. George is the janitor, and is paid for 
his time, and Jack goes because he has no warm 
fire to sit by at home.” 

Then it is all the more important that he should 
have a cheerful greeting when he comes among us,” 
insisted Herbert. If we can make him any hap- 
pier than he now is, w^e should not hesitate a 
moment about extending a helping hand. As for 
George Irwin — well, if he is only the janitor, he 
has a soul, and it may be required at our hands.” 

‘^I fear we shall find a great many neglected 
corners when we begin to scrutinize our work,” re- 
marked Eleanor gravely.^ I am quite sure none 
of us intended to overlook any of the young people 
mentioned, but no doubt they have felt themselves 
excluded, and it may require a great deal of tact as 
well as grace at this late day to convince them that 
they are welcome. If Helen will look after Nan, 


THE SOCIAL. 


197 


perliaps the rest of us will be able to manage Jack 
and George/^ 

Acting on Pinks suggestion, Helen enlisted 
Naiks sympathy by asking her to do the thing she 
could best do. At first she liesitated, evidently 
thinking that the invitation had been given out of 
pity ; but after she was convinced that Helen was 
in earnest, and that the young people really wished 
to be friendly, she entered eagerly into the plans 
for the evening, and, much to the astonishment of 
those who had hitherto shunned her, she proved an 
excellent leader in the position in which she had 
been placed. 

George and Jack had something to do too, and 
several other shut-outs, which the self-constituted 
committee had hunted up, were there also, and 
were not neglected either. 

The Sabbath following the social was one of 
those wet, disagreeable days that have such a de- 
pressing effect on church-goers. If it had been a 
week-day, in spite of the incessant dripping of the 
rain, people would have gone about their ordinary 
w^ork without complaining; but as it was, the 
pastor of the Glendale church preached his well- 
prepared sermon to rather a small congregation. 
To make things worse, the furnace smoked, and the 


198 


CONSECRATED ANEW. 


people listened in that enduring way which is so 
trying to a sensitive speaker. 

The text chosen that morning was^ Gather up 
the fragments that remain, that nothing be lost.’^ 
Mr. Holland said that, though at first glance the 
w^ords of the text seemed to relate merely to some 
scraps of material food left on the ground, no 
doubt considered w^orthless by those who stood 
around, they had a deep meaning — a meaning that 
our Lord wished to impress upon his disciples. 

There was no real necessity for saving these 
broken morsels and carrying them away, for he 
could just as easily have performed another miracle 
when the people’s hunger demanded bread. But he 
wished to teach his followers that nothing good or 
useful either for their temporal or spiritual welfare 
should be wasted or carelessly thrown aside. If we 
would apply this teaching to our own daily lives, 
they would prove much more complete and satis- 
factory in the end. There are so many fragments 
of spiritual food that we might gather up as we pass 
along through life. Sometimes it is only a sentence 
in a book or paper which touches the heart ; some- 
times the tender word of a friend who is praying for 
us ; or it may be that we are lifted to a higher and 
better life merely by witnessing the joys or sorrows of 


THE SOCIAL. 


199 ■ 


those around us. Then there are the precious frag- 
ments of time that we might weave in here and there 

the spare minutes which are allowed to run to 

waste, and, if rightly utilized, would be worth 
years of schooling in the end. Think, too, how 
many opportunities for helping each other we miss 
by not employing the moments that come in 
between duties— the waste bits of time which count 
up so much when gathered together. 

We could gather up many little fragments of 
happiness along our wayside, too, if we were 
always on the lookout for something beautiful to 
do or say or enjoy. Ah, how many little kindnesses 
we might perform, how many cups of cold water 
we might give in the name of the Master ! — trifles 
in themselves, perhaps, fragments of love and 
charity, but as sweet and fragrant as if the alabas- 
ter box of sweet ointment had not been broken to 
obtain them. 

The simple flowers that bloom on every hand 
without expense and with little care ; the birds that 
sing on every tree ; the blue sky over our heads 
and the green fields at our feet,— are fragments of 
beauty that we can all enjoy if only we have ap- 
preciative eyes to behold them. 

He then went on to speak of the fragments of 


200 


CONSECRATED ANEW. 


Mork that the Master had left behind for his chil- 
dren to do — not always wee bits of sweet ministry 
to the afflicted ; not always pleasant service among 
the congenial ; sometimes the toil was hard and the 
recompense unsatisfactory. Still, the fragments, 
jagged and ragged though they were, should be 
gathered up, no matter what the cost or suffering. 

Though much depressed by the listless manner 
of his hearers, Mr. Holland had one eager listener 
— Helen Priest. True, she had felt the pressure 
of surrounding circumstances during the opening 
service, just as other people had done; but when 
the text was announced, and the pastor began to 
gather up the fragments that Christians had al- 
lowed to go to waste, she became such an interested 
listener that if Mr. Holland had not been looking 
inward instead of outward he might have caught 
an inspiration from her bright, animated face. As 
it was, he came out of the pulpit with a heavy 
heart. He had labored hard, and yet he felt that 
he had made the weakest effort of his life. 

I enjoyed that sermon ever so much, Mr. Hol- 
land. It has helped me already, and I am very 
grateful for the cheering words you spoke,^^ said 
Helen brightly as Mr. Holland paused by her fa- 
ther’s pew to shake hands. 


THE SOCIAL. 


201 


does me good to hear you say so/^ replied 
Mr. Holland, brightening at once. I thought I 
had made a miserable failure, and was going home 
thoroughly disheartened. This is a very unex- 
pected fragment, but you may rest assured it is 
fully appreciated.^^ 

Helen is engaged in corner work these days, 
you see,’^ said Aunt Miriam in a voice just loud 
enough to reach two pairs of ears. Helen looked 
composed, and Mr. Holland puzzled, but Aunt 
Miriam did not stop to explain. As they passed 
out into the rain she whispered in Helen’s ear. 
Your work in that neglected corner has brought 
forth fruit already and, turning her head in the 
direction indicated, Helen caught a glimpse of the 
smiling face of her pastor engaged in earnest con- 
versation with a stranger — a young commercial 
traveler who had breasted the storm, hoping to find 
among God’s people a welcome that would cure 
him of the dreadful homesickness that was tor- 
menting him. Cheerfulness is contagious, and Mr. 
Holland’s cordial reception of the lonely visitor 
reminded some of the young men that part of their 
duty was to look after the strangers within their 
gates. Thus admonished, they were not long in 
making the young man feel at home, and a little 


202 


CONSECRATED ANEW, 




later the stranger passed the kindness on by speak- 
ing a few cheerful words to an old man stopping at 
the same hotel, who seemed to be alone and friend- 
less in the world. 




CHAPTER XX. 


THE THANK-OFFERING MEETING. 

“ Thanks we bring for earthly good, 
Nobler thanks for richer food ; 

Love divine to us hath given 
Christ, the bread of life from heaven.” 



HAT night, the last Sabbath night of the old 


year, the young people in Glendale held their 
first thank-oifering service. The wind was blowing 
fiercely and the rain had changed to snow, making 
the evening even more disagreeable than the morn- 
ing had been ; but the young people, having made 
special preparation for this meeting, turned out in 
large numbers, regardless of the storm that was 
raging outside. The janitor had succeeded in coax- 
ing the furnace into a more melting mood, in which 
the little puffs of dust and smoke had no part ; con- 
sequently the church was much more comfortable 
than it had been during the morning service. 

Dane Bronson led the meeting, and after very 
impressive devotional exercises enumerated some 


203 


204 


CONSECRATED ANEW. 


of the blessings for which thank-offerings should be 
made. Among other things, he said : 

The famine-stricken peasants of Eussia, whose 
starvation cry has come to us from that far-away 
frozen land, forcibly remind us that the good Fa- 
ther has not forgotten to send us bread. We are 
just as dependent on a favoring providence as they 
are. We are not to think of the Maker of heaven 
and earth as having set the world in motion, as 
having wound up the machinery as he would wind a 
clock, and then standing aside and letting it go. His 
presence is as much needed to keep the machinery 
moving as it was to start it at first. All our sup- 
plies, temporal and spiritual, come from his hand, 
and if we are grateful for our daily bread, how 
much more should we appreciate the food upon 
which our souls feed ! Christ is the bread direct 
from heaven. To reject him is to starve. With- 
out him the soul must remain a dwarf, shriveled 
and wilted in its largest capabilities. This is the 
only bread that satisfies, and after the soul has 
truly partaken of Christ it turns away from carnal 
food as coarse and unpalatable. 

^^Of all the gifts that we have received, God’s 
greatest gift to the world is his own well-beloved 
Son. He is mine, and I am his. When we real- 


THE THANK-OFFERING MEETING, 


205 


ize how great God^s other gifts are — life, health, 
friends, comforts, food, everything — it is a wonder- 
ful thing to say that he is greater than all these, 
but it is true/^ 

Greater, because more costly. God made the 
farthest reach of sacrifice possible when he gave 
his only-begotten Son,’’ said Herbert Garde. 

There can be no question about the rank Jesus 
takes among the gifts of the Father. He is the un- 
speakable gift,” remarked Philip Priest. ^^The 
question with you and with me to-night is. Is he 
mine? As we bring our thank-offerings and lay 
them down at his feet, let us make a complete sur- 
render of ourselves to him. In our meetings, in 
our work, in our pleasures, in our homes, every- 
where we go, let us endeavor to honor God’s 
greatest, best gift to man.” 

After a brief season of prayer, Blble-readings on 
giving, praise and thanksgiving were conducted by 
different members of the society, and then a very 
profitable season was spent in gathering the thank- 
offerings. Each one as he presented his gift named 
some blessing received during the year for which 
he was specially thankful. 

Eleanor Gray, in making the first offering, 
referred to the restoration of her mother from 


206 


CONSECRATED ANEW, 


a long sickness as the blessing for which she was 
most grateful. Jesus heard and answered our 
prayers on her behalf^ and I am glad of the privi- 
lege of bringing him a thank-offering/^ were her 
concluding words. 

Bernice Lyle explained in this way how she 
came to bring an offering: 

said, when one of the "committee handed me 
a thank-offering envelope, ^ I will take it, though I 
do not know that I shall use it. There are always 
so many things to get during the holidays so near 
at hand, that there will be nothing left to give.’ 
The envelope contained a slip of paper requesting 
* me to prepare a Bible-reading on giving. In look- 
ing up the necessary references I made the discovery 
that our offerings to the Lord were not only to be 
willing gifts, but that they were to be made from 
the first-fruits of our^ labors. Eealizing that his 
claims came first, I found something to give, and, 
besides, received a special blessing while studying 
the subject as taught in God’s word.” 

Eae Priest followed with an account of how her 
eyes had been opened : 

It was reading about the free gifts for the tabcr- 
nacjle, and how each one gave a portion from his 
daily toil, that convinced me that God would accept 


THE THANK-OFFERING MEETING. 207 


even the smallest gifts when offered with a willing 
heart. For this assurance I am truly grateful.^^ 

Herbert Garde, in presenting his gift, said : 

^^When asked to name some blessing received 
during the year for which I was specially thankful, 
I began to study over the many mercies that had 
come to me within that time, and they were all so 
exceedingly precious I could not single one out. 
All that I can say to night is, ^ How precious also 
are thy thoughts unto me, O God ! How great is 
the sum of them ! If I should count them, they are 
more in number than the sand.^ 

Louis Bergh responded with : 

I am thankful for our young people’s society. 
It has been the means of leading me to Jesus.” 

Philip Priest’s testimony was : 

^^I am thankful that I can say in truth, ^ Jesus 
is my Saviour.’ ” 

Nan Wilson, in a very timid voice, ventured : 

^^My offering is very small, but it shows how 
grateful I am for the kindness shown me by some 
of the young people of this society during the last 
week.” 

Helen Priest followed immediately with : 

^^ For the cups of cold water which it has been 
my privilege to give, for the neglected corners to 


208 


CONSECRATED ANEW, 


which my attention has been turned, I am truly 
thankful/^ 

And I give thanks for the unselfish friend wdio 
led me to Jesus/’ said Lois Dean. was a wan- 
derer, but now I am at home in my Father’s house 
on earth, and when my work here is finished I hope 
to find a resting-place in the house not made with 
hands, eternal in the heavens.” 

Frank Lyle was thankful for the Chicago con- 
vention, through which the young people at Glen- 
dale had received such a wonderful blessing. 

Surely it is more blessed to give than to re- 
ceive,” remarked Dane Bronson as he offered his 
gift, and I am glad to-night of the privilege of 
making an offering to the Lord.” 

Nellie Ames rejoiced in the return of a brother, 
long a wanderer from the family fireside ; George 
Irwin’s heart had been made glad by the reforma- 
tion of his father; and Jack Dye was thankful that 
God had answered his prayers by sending him 
work. Laura Frisbee’s best gift had been tlie 
means by which she could continue her education ; 
and her brother George w^as grateful not only for 
gifts received, but also for those withheld. 

And so the gift-gathering went on : one blessed 
the Lord for loving friends ; another, for success in 


THE THANK-OFFERING MEETING. 209 


life ; while others spoke of health, happiness, hopes 
of heaven, the peace that passeth understanding, as 
among the blessings which the year had brouglit. 

In adding his offering, Mr. Holland said : 

^^The Lord hath dealt very bountifully with me 
since we last celebrated the harvest-home of the 
year. Blessings in abundance have been showered 
down upon my head ; and for all these, especially 
for the help that I have received from my young 
people, I desir£ to give thanks.’^ 

There was a subdued stillness all over the house 
while the officers were engaged in counting the 
thank-offering money. Every one present felt that 
Jesus was there, sitting over against the treasury, 
and that great searching of hearts became those 
in his presence. 

The offerings, which ranged from Nan Wilson’s 
hard-earned quarter to Dane Bronson’s gold eagle, 
amounted to nearly two hundred dollars. It was a 
free-will offering unto the Lord, and with heads 
reverently bowed while the pastor asked a special 
blessing on the gifts the young people realized more 
fully than ever before the blessedness of giving. 

Every man according as he purposeth in his 
heart, so let him give ; not grudgingly, or of neces- 
sity ; for God loveth a cheerful giver.” 


CHAPTER XXI. 


DISHONORING HER PATTERN. 

“ Pity and need 

Make all flesh kin. There is no caste in blood, 

Which runneth of one hue ; no caste in tears, 

Which trickle salt with all.’^ 

T WILL never wear this dress again — never 
said Rae Priest, coming in flushed and angry 
from the young people’s meeting. 

^^’Why, Rae, the dress is beautiful,” said Aunt 
Miriam, surveying her critically from head to foot. 

It is really very becoming, my child.” 

So I thought until Lucy Crocker came out to- 
night in her cheap cotton dress made in imitation 
of it,” said Rae with unnecessary emphasis. 

Well, dear, I should think that you would feel 
honored to have other girls take you for a pattern,” 
responded Aunt Miriam gently. 

But I don’t, aunt. I do not want any one to 
imitate my dress, much less a red-headed, freckle- 
faced girl like Lucy. I do wish you could have 
210 


DISHONORING HER PATTERN, 


211 


seen her in her gaudy suit — coarse, cheap delaine, in 
color not unlike mine, with a pink muslin front 
fashioned after my dainty satin puff. Of course 
her clumsy fingers had made a miserable fist of the 
graceful draperies, and everywhere the dress lacked 
that exquisite finish which only a practiced hand 
can give ; but the imitation was close enough to be 
noticeable and to excite comment.’^ 

Rae waited a minute, expecting her aunt to 
reply, but when she did not speak, she asked im- 
patiently. 

Do you wonder, now, aunt, that I became per- 
fectly disgusted with the girl ? A good imitation 
would not have been half so trying.’^ 

' I was wondering, my dear, if you succeeded in 
following your Pattern any closer than did this 
poor, ignorant girl,’^ said Aunt Miriam gravely. 

^‘What do you mean, aunt?^^ asked Rae with 
wide-open eyes. I follow no one, and all the 
girls say they never knew me to copy after any- 
body.^^ 

I thought, my dear, that you professed to be a 
follower of the meek and lowly Jesus; and while 
you were finding fault with poor, untaught Lucy 
I was wondering if he could be as impatient with 
our poor efforts at imitation as you are toward 


212 


CONSECRATED ANEW. 


your young compauion/’ answered Aunt Miriam 
gently. 

Oh, tliat is diflfereut entirely/^ returned Rae, 
coloring guiltily. 

Does not Lucy attend the young people’s meet- 
ings?” asked Aunt Miriam, without contradicting 
Rae’s assertion. 

Yes, she is an associate member,” admitted ^ 
Rae in a hesitating voice. 

Who first invited her to attend?” questioned 
Aunt Miriam with a searching look. 

I did, aunt. You know that part of our work 
is to interest outsiders and bring them into our 
meetings,” replied Rae, brightening. 

And to pray specially for the ones thus' 
brought in is another part of your work, I think?” 
said Aunt Miriam. 

^^You are right, aunt,” admitted Rae, without 
raising her eyes. 

You hope to see her become an active member 
of your society, and give herself to Christ some 
time, do you not?” inquired Aunt Miriam. 

Why, yes, aunt, you know I do,” retorted 
Rae, both vexed and puzzled. What makes you 
ask such strange questions ?” 

‘‘1 had occasion to call on Mrs. Crocker in 


DISHONORING HER PATTERN 


213 


regard to some extra washiDg this evening. She 
Avas engaged Avhen I went in, and one of the little 
girls asked me to take a seat in the front room for 
a few minutes. Lucy was dressing in the adjoining 
room, and I overheard her say to her younger 
sister that you were the sweetest girl she knew, and 
that she was going to take you for her model. She 
said also that she had made her dress as nearly like 
yours as possible, because she Avould rather look 
like you than any one else, the queen of England 
not excepted.’’ 

Rae was winking hard to keep back the tears, 
and she was afraid to trust her voice to speak ; so 
her aunt went on : After Lucy had started Mrs. 
Crocker came in, and, looking after her daughter, 
said, ^ I am very glad your niece invited my girl to 
these meetings. She is lots better tempered now 
than she was before she began going. I have not 
much time to think about such things myself, but if 
religion helps people to be kind and agreeable, I 
would like my children all to get an interest in it.’ 
Poor woman ! how I wish her own hard life could 
be softened and sweetened by the touch of Jesus ! 
I hope sincerely that through the daughter you are 
moulding the mother may be reached, in time, too. 
It is a very responsible thing, Rae, to have people 


214 


CONSECRATED ANEW. 


imitate you, and you should be very careful that 
they do not copy your mistakes as well as your 
graces. You have become a pattern to poor Lucy 
Crocker, whose life of toil has been brightened by 
being fashioned after your own, and I trust you 
did nothing to-niglit to give offence to this weak 
sister.’^ 

am afraid I did, aunt,^^ said E-ae, weeping 
softly. I am sure she could not help being dis- 
pleased with the way I snubbed her. You see, I 
was vexed, and I did not know she was trying to 
copy me in anything but dress.^^ 

^^That excuse will scarcely bear the test when 
examined in the light of God^s holy word. How 
could you endure the thought that through you a 
weak sister, for whom Christ died, should perish?’^ 

never thought of offending her in such a 
way,^^ replied Eae, much distressed. 

^^And I am quite certain that you were not 
aware that in slighting poor, ignorant Lucy 
Crocker you were wounding the Saviour himself. 
He says himself, ^Inasmuch as ye have done it 
unto one of the least of these, ye have done it unto 
me;^ — Gin to me,’ unto Christ, Rae. Would you 
treat him as you did Lucy Crocker, ^one of the 
least of these’?” urged Aunt Miriam. 


dishonoring her pattern. 


215 


“ No, aunt ; I am very sure I would not ; but I 
did not think of offending Christ when I slighted 
Lucy Crocker, a poor, untutored factory-girl,” re- 
plied Eae. 

“ You did, nevertheless,” insisted Aunt Miriam ; 

“ and the injury inflicted upon Lucy is just as great 
as if you had realized the extent of the wrong you 
were committing.” 

Rae understood her aunt and knew what her 
duty was; but just then she was not strong enough 
to make any promises concerning her future course ; 
so she went to her own room to think it out and 
pray over it. 

The next night she went to the young people’s 
meeting, intending to make an apology to Lucy for 
unchristian treatment ; but the girl was not there, 
and so this opportunity of undoing a wrong was 
missed. 

“ I wonder if it would do any good if I would 
go to her and tell her how very sorry I am,” Rae 
said to her aunt after relating her disappointment. 

“ Try, dear,” counseled her aunt ; and the next 
morning, while the purpose was strong in hei heait, 
she went to seek a reconciliation. At first Lucy 
was disposed to be bitter, and declared that she had 
lost all faith in religion, and that its professors were 


216 


CONSEORATED ANEW. 


all hypocrites; but when she was convinced that 
Eae was in earnest she listened to her story, 
and felt interested in that One whose perfect 
pattern was worth imitating, and in whose walk 
there were no false or faltering steps. 

Months afterward, when the wound that Eae had 
made that unfortunate night was fully healed and 
Lucy had given her young heart to the Saviour, 
the two reviewed the past together, and Eae learned 
how nearly she had come to destroying the con- 
fidence and spoiling the life of her friend. 

I loved you because you took an interest in me 
and spoke kindly to me when other girls passed me 
by,^^ explained Lucy; ^^and I admired religion for 
the reason that I thought it made you pleasant and 
happy, and I longed to be freed from my ungovern- 
able temper. In trying to imitate you I felt that I 
was growing both better and happier. It was silly 
in me copying your dress when mine was such a 
miserable sham, but I thought it was beautiful 
because it resembled yours, and never thought of 
offending you. After seeing the look of disgust 
on your face that night at the prayer-meeting I 
went home vowing never to believe in anybody or 
anything again ; and if you had not come to me in 
humility and pointed me to the perfect Pattern as 


DISHONORING HER PATTERN. 217 

you did, I would to-day have been the most pitiful 
thing on earth — a hardened, unbelieving woman.” 

“ Tliank God for the grace that enabled me to 
undo the wrong I had committed before it was too 
late !” said Rae in a low, tender voice as she wiped 
the tears from' her pale cheeks. “ I trust the mis- 
take will never be repeated.” 


CHAPTER XXII. 




A CONTINUAL REVIVAL. 

‘‘ The path of the just is as a shining light, that shineth 
more and more unto the perfect day.’^ 

T WISH you could stay with us all winter, 
Aunt Miriam,’^ said Philip Priest after he had 
finished strapping and marking the old-fashioned 
hair trunk that was to accompany its owner back 
to the little New England town where all the years 
of her sunshiny life had been spent. 

I would be glad to stay if Old Bedford had no 
claims upon me, Philip,’^ answered Aunt Miriam. 

I have been very happy here, as my long visit 
fully attests.^^ 

Why can’t you shut up your house and come 
to us for good? We would be glad to have you as 
our very own all the time,” urged Rae. 

Come, come child ! you must not flatter me. I 
fear you will make me vain,” laughed Aunt 
Miriam, a beautiful flush tingeing her pale cheeks. 

Don’t you remember, aunt, what you told me 
218 


A CONTINUAL REVIVAL. 


219 


about praising people?’’ reminded Helen. ^^Yoii 
said very few of the home folks were spoiled by it. 

I believe you were right ; at any rate, we all mean 
just what we say when we tell you we would like 
to keep you. I am afraid that my neglected 
corners will get very dusty after you go away. It 
is so much easier to work when you have a leader.” 

You must let Jesus be your leader, my dear. 
You would be following a very poor guide indeed 
were you to attempt to step in my tracks. Follow 
Jesus step by step, and you will never be led out 
of the straight and narrow way. Even in the most 
commonplace duties of life, seek his direction. Do 
nothing without consulting him. One reason why 
so many young Christians fail in the minor trials 
of life is that they think little every-day cares and 
worries too trivial to carry to Jesus. If he numbers 
even the hairs of your head, he will not turn away 
when you ask his help to bear the most insignif- 
icant burdens of the kitchen, the school-room, the 
workshop or the home.” 

I wish you could stay for our meetings next 
week, aunt,” said Philip. ''It is the week of 
prayer, you know, and we are expecting great 
blessings.” 

‘‘There is a wonderful power in prayer, and 


220 


CONSECRATED ANEW, 


when the whole world kneels before God at once, 
pleading for the same blessings, it is right to expect 
the prayers to be answered speedily. But God is a 
prayer-hearing and a prayer-answering God at all 
times, as well as during the week of prayer, and 
there is no reason why there should not be a con- 
tinual revival the whole year round, as well as 
during the winter months,’^ said Aunt Miriam. 

My idea of a Christian life is a soul at its best 
all the time. I have very little faith in the religion 
that fluctuates with the weather — that comes and 
goes with every breeze from the north.^^ 

Then you do not believe in special seasons of 
prayer?’^ questioned Philip in astonishment. 

Yes, I do, Philip, with all my heart. This is 
the harvest of the year from a religious standpoint. 
Its claims are pressing and its opportunities bound- 
less, and God, who stands with outstretched hands 
loaded with blessings which he is offering us, will 
surely hold us responsible for the use w^e make of 
them. I not only believe in special meetings during 
one week, but I believe in fifty-two weeks of 
prayer during the year; and I believe, too, that 
every church in this wide land may have a revival 
continually if only it will use the means God has 
put into its hands.’^ 


A COJVTINUAL REVIVAL. 221 

I never thouglit of the subject in this light 
before, aunt, but I believe you are right,’^ admitted 
Philip. It is certainly becoming more and more 
true that aggressive church-work is crowded into 
the few winter months.’’ 

''Yes,” responded Aunt Miriam; "the summer 
is given up to the vacation season, while the spring 
is occupied in getting ready for it, and the fall with 
rallying from its effects.” 

" I see that as a practical thing our extra exer- 
tions are confined to the cold weather,” Philip ac- 
knowledged quietly ; and after a minute’s thought 
he added : "This being the case, would it not be 
better for us to try to make the most out of things 
as they exist, instead of striving against them when 
we know we cannot change or remodel them ?” 

"We often hear people speak of the year of the 
revival, as if there was but one — at least one in a 
long time in the history of the church,” replied 
Aunt Miriam. "They seem to take it for granted 
that the field, having been harvested over once, will 
not need to have the fallow-ground broken up for a 
long series of years. This popular opinion is both 
harmful and unscriptural. We find no warrant 
for it in history, and no analogy in nature. People 
would laugh at a man who tried to eat enough in a 


222 


CONSECRATED ANEW. 


day to satisfy him for a week. God does not give 
one harvest in a dozen years, making ploughing and 
sowing fruitless the other eleven. So every week 
of prayer should witness a revival in every 
church.’^ 

And every day should see a revival in every 
Christian’s heart,” said Helen, who had hitherto 
been only a listener. 

^^The Christian who is growing in grace from 
day to day experiences this continual revival,” an- 
swered Aunt Miriam. If we are fully consecrated 
to the service of the Lord, this constant growth 
will show itself in our daily life.” 

It is the living, the living, that bears witness 
of our faithfulness or unfaithfulness,” remarked 
Helen. 

There is a good deal of homely truth in what 
the old drummer said about inconsistent professors: 
^A Christian should never shout higher than he 
lives,’ ” said Philip. I know from experience 
the close watch the enemies of Christ keep upon 
Christ’s professed followers, and it is the living, not 
the shouting, that counts with them.” 

Christ must be more charitable toward human 
frailties than we are, else he would not tolerate the 
many disagreeable people, claiming to be Chris- 


A CONTINUAL BEVIVAL. 


223 


tians, found in every community. For instance, 
there is old Mrs. Linn the grumbler, who keeps 
herself and all about her in constant turmoil, and 
yet no one would dare to assert that she is not a 
Christian,” returned Helen. 

“Such people must be among the ‘scarcely 
saved,’ ” declared Philip. “ With their souls so 
warped and distorted, they are satisfied with 
merely gaining heaven at last. Surely no abundant 
entrance awaits them.” 

“ Their disagreeable traits are of the earth, 
earthy, and all earthliness will be changed when 
mortality is laid aside for immortality, said Aunt 
Miriam. “ We are told that in God’s presence is 
fullness of joy, and even these little ones, the 
‘scarcely saved,’ will be happy; they will enjoy 
all they are capable of enjoying.” 

“ Then why may people not be as unpleasant as 
they choose?” asked Rae. “If all are to be full 
of joy, what is the use in trying to live better lives 
than other people ? I always thought there would 
be degrees in glory.” 

“ And doubtless there will be, Rae. You will 
not be disappointed in the least,” replied Aunt 
Miriam. “ If you take vessels of different dimen- 
sions and fill them all up to the brim, they will all 


224 


CONSECRATED ANEW. 


be fillip but they will by no means contain the same 
amount. So it will be in heaven. All will be full 
of joy, but this fullness will be measured by the 
capabilities of the souls to be filled.’’ 

I understand now/’ said Kae. It seems so 
plain and simple since your explanation.” 

Paul’s command to Timothy is the best advice 
that an old woman like me can give to young 
people, and in bidding you good-bye I will simply 
repeat his words : 

^ Let no man despise thy youth ; but be thou an 
example of the believers, in word, in conversation, 
in charity, in spirit, in faith, in purity.’ ” 

Helen enjoyed one more quiet talk with her aunt 
as they walked together to the station, and before 
the parting words were spoken it was arranged that 
in two weeks from that day she should take the 
same train for the old New England town, to pay 
the visit that had long been contemplated. 

Meanwhile, watch the corners,” whispered 
Aunt Miriam as Philip came to help her on the 
train. 


V 


CHAPTER XXIII. 


THE WATCHMEETING. 

“ This New Year thou givest me, 
Lord, I consecrate to thee, 

With all its nights and days ; 
Fill my hand with service blest. 
Fill my heart with holy rest, 
And fill my life with praise ” 


HERE arn I in the midst of them/^ is a 



promise which the Master loves to fulfill, 
and it is a promise which the young people at 
Glendale experienced in large measure during the 
week of prayer. Preceded by the watch-meeting 
with which they welcomed the New Year in, they 
entered upon the week^s service with a determina- 
tion not to let anything interfere with their attend- 
ance upon the meetings. 

That midnight consecration service was a test- 
meeting in which the society showed its loyalty to 
Christ, and in which the individual members re- 
newed their pledge of faithfulness to his service. 

That midnight hour was in charge of the pastor. 


15 


225 


226 


CONSECRATED ANEW. 


and after a glad song of praise and an earnest 
prayer for the presence of the unseen Guest he 
opened the meeting by calling the roll, each 
member responding as he felt with a word of testi- 
mony, a brief prayer or a verse of Scripture. 

The Bible lesson read from Daniel, beginning. 
And behold, a hand touched me, which set me 
upon my knees and upon my hands,’^ gave the 
key-note to the service. That topic was the chord 
on which the remarks — and, to a certain degree, 
the petitions and hymns — were all strung, like jewels 
on a necklace. 

If we wish to live up to our consecration vows, 
we must keep ourselves in touch with Christ, said 
Mr. Holland. Great blessings came to the prophet 
by the touch of God’s messenger. Let us spend a 
few minutes in pleading that the hand of the Lord 
may be upon us during this hour, while we watch 
the old year out and the new one in.” 

There is nothing like the touch of Jesus to 
dispel fear and bring peace to the troubled soul,” 
remarked Eleanor Gray at the close of the very 
impressive season of prayer. The disciples, fright- 
ened by the sublime scene on the Mount of Trans- 
figuration, were wonderfully calmed by the touch 
and voice of Jesus when he came to them with 


THE WATCH-MEETISG. 


227 


the comforting words, ^ Arise, and be not afraid.’ 
Wliile renewing my consecration vows on this the 
first hour of the new year, I feel that there is noth- 
ing that I need or desire more than that he should 
come near me in my Christian life and strengthen 
me by his touch.” 

To me the touch of Christ seems to mean his 
willingness to heal,” said Dane Bronson. ^^The 
man full of leprosy who stopped him when he 
came down from the Mount of Beatitudes said, 

^ Lord, if thou wilt, thou canst make me whole 
and the moment the Saviour touched him, the poor 
leper knew that he was willing as well as able. It 
is to-day as it was then. Christ’s touch is a genuine 
proof of his willingness to communicate his blessings 
to even the worst of sinners.” 

I have been wondering since I came in here 
to-night why we do not bring our unconverted 
friends to him to receive his touch, with more long- 
ing, more importunity than we do,” Philip Priest 
said with much feeling. ''He laid his hand upon 
the little children who were brought to him while 
on earth, and I am sure he will not turn away from 
those whom we, this hour, hold up in the arms of 
faith for his blessing.” 

" Many of us are like the blind man of Beth- 


228 


CONSECRATED ANEW. 


saida/’ urged Herbert Garde. For quite a long 
time he felt the Saviour^s hand leading him through 
the narrow streets out into the green country. But 
it was not until Jesus washed his eyes that he saw 
even dimly, and it required the retouch of the 
divine hand to enable him to see clearly. We need 
to stay right by our Lord until he tells us that 
we are made whole and that our vision is fully re- 
stored. Many of us are content to walk in the 
shadows, notwithstanding the fact that Jesus is the 
light of the world.^^ 

‘‘ We cannot create spiritual sunshine any more 
than we can create the light of day ; but we can put 
our souls where Christ is shining, and in this way 
permit the warm rays of his countenance to enter. 
Such sunlight will scatter the chilling mists of 
doubt and put us in touch with Jesus. There is 
nothing: like his sunshine in the heart to make us 
happy, contented Christians,’’ was the testimony of 
Lois Dean, the”^ first she had ever given for her 
Master, whose service she had but recently en- 
tered. 

It was a happy day in the ruler’s house when 
Jesus took the dead child by the hand and raised 
her up,” said Helen Priest. ^^If the Saviour’s 
touch could give life then, it can do so now. He 


THE WATCH-MEETINO. 


229 


says to us to-day, as he said to that sorrowing fa- 
ther more than eighteen hundred years ago, ‘Be 
not afraid; only believe.’” 

“ The love of Jesus as shown in his willingness 
to come in contact with a leper is one of the sweet- 
est lessons taught in the gospel,” declared Louis 
Bergh. “ He drew them to him by his self-deny- 
ing bve, and that is the way he wishes us to win 
souls into his kingdom to-day. If we expect to 
bring the lost to him, we must get very close to 
them and live so that they can see something of the 
dear Master reflected in our every-day life.” 

“ While 'beginning this new year with Jesus, let 
us not forget that the vows which we have renewed 
with the first moments of the year put us under 
new obligations and impose upon us new reponsi- 
bilities. We are here to lay ourselves willing ofier- 
ings on his altar, and when we go out into the world 
we must not shrink from the work he has prepared 
for us to do,” insisted Nellie Ames. “ Let us always 
heed the slightest touch of Christ, and always be 
ready to communicate his touch to others.” 

“There are many ways in which our lives are 
brought in contact with the Saviour. Many of us 
had times of great longing to be saved even before 
we gave ourselves to Christ. The Holy Spirit was 


230 


CONSECRATED ANEW. 


touching us by his blessed influence/’ asserted Lee 
Cunningham. 

He touched us, too, by his word,” said Mr. 
Holland. Christ’s willingness to save sinners is 
as when the angels laid hold upon Lot’s hand and 
led him out of Sodom.” 

Thus the service went on until the hour was 
gone. Many brief prayers, songs and Scripture 
verses were interspersed, and when the ser- 
vice ended the young people agreed that they 
had been fully repaid for the effort they had made 
to be present at their first watch-prayer meeting. 

While they lingered, talking over the delightful 
season they had spent together, Helen Priest spoke 
of some neglected corners which had been over- 
looked by the various committees. Among others 
she mentioned the case of the young girl near death 
to whom she had paid a visit ; and, as Nan Wilson 
was not present, she suggested that a little kindly 
help tendered* in a quiet way might prove very ac- 
ceptable. Some of the other young people spoke 
of needy ones in whom they were interested, and 
before they separated they had planned to make the 
month of January one of self-denial in order to 
secure funds for carrying out the charitable project 
upon which they had ventured. 


THE WATCH-MEETING, 


231 


During the week that followed the young people 
were faithful in their attendance upon the church 
services as well as upon their own meetings, which 
were held every evening, half an hour before the 
general meeting. Though there was no unusual in- 
gathering into the church as the result of the 
week^s supplications, the meetings were character- 
ized by a deep interest on the part of those who at- 
tended, and God’s people were greatly strengthened 
and blessed by waiting upon him. 


CHAPTER XXIV. 


CROSS-BEARING. 

Bear the cross willingly, 

And it will carry you 
And lead you to the longed-for goal ; 

Bear it unwillingly, 

You make a burden for yourself. 

Loading yourself the more ; 

And you must bear it still/^ 

ELEN was reading her morning Bible lesson 



in Hebrews, and had just finished this verse, 
Who for the joy that was set before him endured 
the cross, when her mother^s voice from below 
interrupted her with — 

Helen, dear, can you come down stairs a few 
minutes 

She did not like to be disturbed in her devotions, 
and this doubtless accounted for the frown that dis- 
figured her face as she rose to obey the summons. 

Some of father’s tiresome patients to entertain, 
no doubt,” she muttered. It is a necessary cross, 
I presume, and must be endured ; but it is very 


232 


CROSS-BEARING. 


233 


trying to l)e interrupted in this way, especially 
when I am to go away to-morrow and there is so 
much to look after to-day/^ 

But it was no disagreeable patient that awaited 
her this time ; instead, it was a little one-page letter 
from Aunt Miriam, requesting her to defer her 
visit for a while, as she had received a message 
from her brother informing her of the serious ill- 
ness of his wife and begging her to come to them 
at once. 

Why can’t people be sick without sending for 
Aunt Miriam?” pouted Helen with tears in her 
eyes. Old and delicate as she is, all her relations 
expect her to nurse them when they are sick.” 

It is a great disappointment to you, I am sure, 
Helen ; but you cannot blame your uncle for ask- 
ing her assistance under the circumstances. You 
know how glad we were to welcome her cheery face 
that winter your father had the fever,” urged Mrs. 
Priest. 

understand all that, mother; still, I cannot 
help wishing that the poor woman had taken it into 
her head to try some other nurse just now,” replied 
Helen, a little petulantly, as she turned to go up 
stairs again. 

After the storm of tears in which she indulged- 


234 


CONSECRATED ANEW. 


was over she took up her Bible just where it was 
open, and re-read the words that had seemed so 
beautiful to her a few minutes before. Now the 
gladness had gone out of her heart, and she was al- 
ready shrinking from the cross which had so unex- 
pectedly been laid upon her. Finally, with a half- 
hearted request for help to bear it, she dried her 
tears and went down stairs to perform the duties 
awaiting her there. But she could not forget her 
cross, and it was borne in such a disagreeable way 
that every one was made conscious of her sacrifice 
and became a partner in carrying the load. 

Things went on in this way for several days 
before Helen found out how very uncomfortable 
she was making the other members of the family, 
and the unpleasant situation might have continued 
much longer had not she chanced to overhear a bit 
of conversation that passed between Philip and 
her mother. Usually, in these latter days, Philip 
was very charitable toward her failings ; but even 
he had become impatient with her conduct, and de- 
clared that there was no excuse for being so dis- 
agreeable, no matter what the pretext. 

But, Philip,’’ the mother remonstrated mildly, 
^^you must acknowledge that the disappointment is 
a great trial to her, and very hard to bear.” 


CROSS-BEARING. 


235 


She is a cross bearer, at any rate/^ retorted 
Philip with a double meaning. 

A cross bearer indeed/^ repeated Helen, run- 
ning swiftly up stairs to her own room. She closed 
and locked her door to keep out intruders, but she 
could not shut out from her ears those significant 
words that Philip had spoken. A cross bearer 
she had certainly proved herself to be, but not in 
the common acceptance of the term. There had 
been much said about cross-bearing at the consecra- 
tion meeting only a few nights previous, but no 
allusions had been made to the kind of cross she had 
been carrying for several days. How she had been 
neglecting a corner in her own heart — a dark 
corner, out of which the weeds of discontent and ill- 
temper had sprung so suddenly ! She was a cross 
bearer,^^ and with shame and confusion she ac- 
knowledged it to herself. The thought had come 
like a revelation, and with deep contrition she 
humbly confessed it to the great Cross-bearer. 

Dear Jesus,’^ she prayed, forgive me all my sin, 
and help me not only to bear this disappointment 
cheerfully, but to tear the idol of selfishness wholly 
from my heart. May I never again dishonor thee 
by such unhallowed cross-bearing.’^ 

Rising from her knees, she opened her Bible at 


236 


CONSECRATED ANEW. 


random, and the first passage her eyes rested on 
was this : Study to show thyself approved unto 
God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed/’ 
Pausing here, she solemnly asked herself, What 
kind of a record have I been making during the 
last three days? Will God approve of such work 
as I have been doing? Have I not cause to blusli 
on account of my unworthy service? And all on 
account of a trifling disappointment, too. Will I 
never learn to let Jesus do all my choosing for 
me?” Then, turning the leaves of her Bible, she 
read again : ‘‘ My brethren, count it all joy when 
ye fall into divers temptations, knowing this, that 
the trying of your faith worketh patience.” 

It has not done so in my case,” sighed Helen. 

But then I have not let patience have its perfect 
work,” she admitted as she closed her book and 
went back to finish the work she had left so un- 
ceremoniously to shut out from her ears Philip’s 
very just criticism. 

Half an hour later, when she met her brother in 
the hall, she said to him, 

Phil, I am sorry I have made you all so very 
uncomfortable by selfishly thrusting my disappoint- 
ment upon you ; but I am not going to be a cross- 
bearer any longer.” 


CROSS-BEARING. 


237 


^ cross-bearer echoed Phil iu confusion. 

Yes^ a ^cross-bearer^ in the sense in which you 
meant it/^ replied Helen firmly. 

I should not have permitted such words to pass 
my lips/^ said Phil gravely, recalling his words. 

“You spoke the truth/^ returned Helen. “I 
am afraid I shall never attain to much proficiency 
in the grace of patience. It is so much easier to 
learn to labor than to learn to wait.’’ 

“ I forgot, when condemning you, that it was a 
Christian’s duty to forbear as well as bear,” said 
Philip humbly. “ Your disappointment was great, 
and I should have given you sympathy rather than 
censure.” 

Just here the dinner-bell rang, interrupting the 
conversation, and Helen did not have an oppor- 
tunity of telling how really grateful she was for 
the jfiainly-spoken words. 

“ Would you have time to do a little errand for 
me this afternoon, Helen?” asked her father as the 
family rose from the dinner-table. 

“ Why, yes, certainly,” answered Helen, pausing 
for directions. 

“ I promised to send old Granny Camp some 
medicine for her rheumatism, and if you will take 


238 


CONSECRATED ANEW. 


it I shall be saved riding half a mile out of my 
Avay/^ explained her father. 

‘^Very well; I will be glad to go/’ returned 
Helen, with more good cheer than she had shown 
for several days, as she hurried away for her wraps. 

It will do her good to visit one who under- 
stands how to meet the trials and crosses of life,” 
soliloquized her father as he wrapped up the medi- 
cine intended for his patient. The directions are 
written on it,” he said, putting the package into 
Helen’s hand. ^^You know where she lives — in 
that little red house at the foot of the hill. She is 
too badly crippled to answer your knock after any 
other fashion than simply ^ Come in ;’ so don’t 
stand on ceremony, but just open the door and 
walk in.” 

Helen found Granny Camp in a much more 
pitiable condition than her father’s apparent in- 
difference had led her to expect. The poor old 
creature had been a constant sufferer from rheuma- 
tism for twenty years, and for the last five she had 
not been able to walk a step. Her hands and feet 
were drawn out of shape, and her poor old body 
was twisted and warped until it was bent almost 
double. Still she never uttered a word of com- 
plaint, and the neighbors said they could always 


CROSS-BEABING. 


239 


tell when granny’s pains were worse, for then it 
was that she sang the loudest and sweetest. There 
was no one but her little grandson Jack to take care 
of her, and as he was employed in a pottery, earning 
bread for them both, she was left alone most of 
the day. Yet, though racked with pain and so 
utterly helpless, she was so cheerful and happy 
that Helen felt certain she must be under the 
influence of opiates ; but when she questioned her 
she found out that her peace sprung from a very 
diflPerent source. She said. 

You see, I have never been able to do much 
for the dear Saviour who died for me ; so I just try 
to smile and be happy for him.” 

I don’t see how you can be happy while endur- 
ing such torture,” exclaimed Helen, looking pity- 
ingly at the poor, shriveled, misshapen body. 

My Father knows what is best for me, and he 
is able to give me new strength for new trials. 
After a score of years of suffering I am here to-day 
to testify that his grace has always been sufficient 
for me. When things look dark and the pain is at 
its worst, I gather up the promises and keep saying 
them over and over in my heart,” was the old 
woman’s answer; and from the peaceful look in 
the faded eyes Helen knew that she understood by 


240 


CONSECRATED ANEW, 


experience the meaning of that peace that passeth 
understanding. 

It seems hard for me to follow the Master — to 
be submissive to his will at all times, even in 
health/’ said Helen. I often become impatient 
and discontented while surrounded by kind friends 
and when I do not lack for any of the comforts or 
conveniences of life ; and yet you are happy, even 
cheerful, with everything except life removed.” 

Not everything, dear. I still have Jesus left, 
and he is more than all the world to me,” said the 
old woman with a glad quiver in her cracked voice. 

You know he tells us that if we suffer we shall 
also reign with him. Just think of that — reign 
with Christ ! Paul knew what he was saying when 
he wrote, ^ For I reckon that the sufferings of this 
present time are not worthy to be compared with 
tlie glory which shall be revealed in us.’ When 
the days begin to drag and the nights are full of 
weariness I ask myself. What are twenty, or thrice 
twenty, years of suffering when compared with an 
eternity of glory ?” 

Don’t you long for the hour of release ?” asked 
Helen with a look of awe upon her face. 

The time of my going home is in my Father’s 
hands, child, and until that hour comes I must 


CROSS-BEARING, 


241 


wait patieDtly/^ was the sweet answer. he 

chooses to keep me in the furnace of affliction 
longer than he does most of his children, it must be 
on account of the great amount of dross in my nature. 
I know that there is a place reserved in heaven for 
me, but I would not want to thrust myself into the 
midst of the glorified throng unbidden. When the 
purifying process has been completed an entrance 
into the many mansions will be ministered unto 
me.’^ 

Ah, yes, an abundant entrance,^^ replied Helen, 
her face shining with a new light which the old 
woman’s words had inspired. 

I hope so indeed,” assented granny. It 
would certainly be very sad to be saved as if by 
fire.” 

Do you think that you will know your friends 
— your husband and your children who have 
entered in before you — when you reach your 
Father’s house ou high?” asked Helen. 

I think I shall ; I am almost certain of it; but 
I do not worry over that. I am sure I shall know 
Jesus, and that is enough for me,” was the 
triumphant answer. 

Helen’s call, which she had planned to consume 

only a few minutes, lasted over an hour, and then 
16 


242 


CONSECRATED ANEW, 


she went away reluctantly^ wondering that she had 
never found this neglected corner before. 

It was I who received all the benefits to-day, 
but there is work for willing hands to do in that 
poor little home, and it shall be done,’^ she told 
herself as she walked slowly down the quiet street. 


CHAPTER XXV. 

THE HEATHEN AT OUR DOOR. 

“ Who does the best his circumstances allow, 

Does well, acts nobly ; angels could do no more.” 

'' T AM behind time, I see/' said Mr. Holland, 
joining the Lookout Committee, waiting his 
appearance in his study. I have been over at the 
mines making a few calls. It is a place where 
work is badly needed. If there are communities 
in this fair land more in need of the gospel than this, 
I have not had the misfortune to be brought in con- 
tact with them. They have been sadly neglected, 

‘ and I have come back to you with the hope that 
you may be willing to stretch out to them a helping 
hand." 

^^In what way?" asked Philip Priest. 

‘^In every way; there is need in all lines of 
Christian work. They have no schools; Bibles 
are almost unknown, and very few persons in the 
neighborhood have ever been inside of a church. 
Most of them are very poor as well as ignorant. 

243 


244 CONSECRATED ANEW. 

In one of the tenement-houses where I called to see 
a sick child, a young girl of eighteen assured me 
that she had never seen a book in her life. She 
said she had heard her folks say that her grand- 
motlier used to have one, but if it was true slie 
must have lost it Avhen she was little, for she did 
not know what a book looked like 

‘‘ How does it come that in a town which boasts 
of half a score of churches there is a field so 
neglected ? Has there never been an effort made to 
Christianize them asked Herbert Garde. 

Yes, several efforts have been made. The Mill 
Creek church people started a kind of a mission- 
school there several years ago, and I have always 
considered it within their bounds ; but it seems 
they were not encouraged much in the attempt, and 
over a year ago abandoned the undertaking. Since 
that time there has not been the slightest effort 
made to give them the gospel. 

^^What do you suggest as a beginning, Mr. 
Holland?’’ questioned Philip, much interested in 
the wretched condition of the people only a stone’s 
throw from the church where he Avorshiped. 

I do not know that I am prepared for even a 
suggestion this evening,” responded Mr. Holland, 
gravely. ^^The desolation of the place impressed 


THE HEATHEN AT OUR DOOR. 


245 


me deeply. As to the methods of work, you will 
be more likely to succeed if you follow out the 
promptings . of your own hearts. Here is an 
opportunity for the exercise of some of your 
reserve energy in looking up a sadly neglected 
corner, Helen,’^ addressing the young girl, who, up 
to this time had been a silent though attentive 
listener. 

^^It certainly seems as though somebody ought 
to lend them a helping hand,^^ assented Helen. I 
had no idea that there were such heathen in our 
midst. 

Nor said Eleanor Gray. I am willing to 
do anything in my power to assist in carrying the 
gospel to them.^^ 

It is willing service that we need in a case like 
this,’^ responded Mr. Holland. ‘^It will require a 
great deal of self-denial to undertake a mission of 
this kind.^^ 

Would a Sabbath-school live there, do you 
think asked Herbert. 

I believe it would be an excellent thing; and 
yet it might prove a failure, as a former effort did,^’ 
was the answer. I trust you will give the matter 
your most earnest attention, and it might be well 
for you to mention it to some of the other young 


246 


CONSECRATED ANEW. 


people during the week. Think over it and pray 
over it until the next meeting, and then we will try 
to come to some decision concerning the best 
method of making a beginuing.^^ 

There will be something done over there now,’^ 
said Mr. Holland to himself as he looked after the 
four earnest young workers as they walked away at 
the close of the meeting. What a power for good 
these active, consecrated young men and women 
have become in the church and in the world 
A week later, meeting Philip at the street-cross- 
ing on his way home from the mines, Mr. Holland 
said, 

We must go over there and start a Sabbath- 
school at once. I have been around prospecting, 
and I think we will have no difficulty in gathering 
together a very respectable number to begin with. 
I have secured a comfortable place in which to hold 
the meetings, and now the only question is, Who 
will go?’’ 

I do not think that will be a question at all,” 
returned Philip. At least not at first, wliile the 
novelty of the work lasts. Quite a number of the 
young folks are eager to go.” 

^^With some this enthusiasm will soon die out, 
but with the few old reliables to hold the fort I 


THE HEATHEN AT OUR DOOR. 


247 


trust the mission in which we are about to engage 
will prove a success. There will be no difficulty, I 
think, in securing teachers, but I fear we may be 
less fortunate when we are ready to look for some 
one to lead the singing. Dick Holmes is a fine 
singer and would make a good leader, but he is not 
a Christian.’’ 

I am quite certain he would be willing to aid 
us, notwithstanding,” answered Philip. 

I think he would. He took a great interest in 
the young people’s meetings at home at first; in 
fact, he was the first one to rise for prayers, I be- 
lieve ; but he seems to have grown careless of late ; 
indeed, he very seldom comes now even to church,” 
responded Mr. Holland. 

Perhaps if he had something to do he would be 
more easily reached,” suggested Philip. 

I like your plan of drawing outsiders into the 
work, Philip, and if Dick will consent to assist us 
by his voice I think we will avail ourselves of his 
service,” said Mr. Holland thoughtfully. If you 
will see him, and have him come to the opening 
jneeting. Sabbath evening, I shall be very glad in- 
deed.” 

When appealed to, Dick readily consented to de- 
vote one hour each Sabbath to the poor, ignorant 


248 


CONSECRATED ANEW. 


miners. Though not a Christian himself, he saw 
the need of such an influence for these wretched 
people, living as they did away from all the sweet, 
refining touches of Jesus. 

If ever anybody needed to be Christianized, 
that Humphrey family surely does,^^ he said to 
Philip as they walked home together after this first 
day’s experience among the miners. 

^^Do they need it worse than Dick Holmes?” 
inquired Philip with a searching look. 

They have no inherited religion to fall back 
upon,” Dick declared lightly. You see, I have all 
the blessings that come from Christian parents, 
Avhile these poor creatures have no such legacy left 
them.” 

Perhaps not,” admitted Philip. ^^But you do 
not expect to be saved through your father’s 
faith ?” 

No, I do not ; still, I do not rank myself in 
the same list with that wicked Joe Humphrey.” 

^^God does not either,” said Philip. ^^You re- 
member Christ once said, ^ To whom much is given, 
of them much will be required.’ ” 

These words impressed Dick as no other words 
had ever impressed him before. Heretofore he 
had been as one of those who, having ears, hear 


THE HEATHEN AT OUR DOOR. 


249 


not; but that sentence pierced the dullness of his 
hearing and sent him home to think over the 
worthlessness of his inherited reliffion. 

‘^1 cannot go to heaven on my father’s ticket, 
neitlier will my mother’s faith save me,” he rea- 
soned when alone, after perplexing his brain over 
the subject for a longer period than he w^as accus- 
tomed to give to such unpleasant themes. He was 
not a member of the young peo 2 ')le’s society, not 
even an associate member, and he had said over 
and over again that he did not believe in such 
organizations, and yet the most serious thoughts 
that lie had ever had on the subject came to him 
through tliat first prayer-meeting, just after Helen 
Priest had come back from the Chicago convention. 
He had led the singing that night, and later, during 
the revival services, had asked to be remembered in 
tlie young people’s prayers ; and it was this very 
imprudence, as he termed it, that had made him an- 
tagonistic to the work of tlie society. He tried to 
persuade himself that they had used undue methods 
to entrap him and thus fill their ranks, and for this 
very flimsy reason he had remained away all win- 
ter. Notwithstanding this, the same society, through 
one of its members, had reached all the way around 
by the mines, and closed about his heart in that one 


250 


CONSECRATED ANEW, 


comprehensive thought borrowed from the Saviour, 

To whom much is given, of him much will be 
required/^ 

Once thoroughly aroused, Dick went to work in 
earnest, and it was to his gift of song as much as 
to the prayers and teaching of -his associates that 
the little Sabbath-school in that wretched place 
owed its life and growth. 

One stormy Sabbath in March, shortly after the 
good work had been inaugurated at the mines, Mr. 
Holland noticed a tall, fine-looking young fellow 
come into the church and take a seat in one of the 
back corners. He was a perfect specimen of health 
and strength, and because he was a good listener he 
attracted the minister’s attention to an unusual de- 
gree. Mr. Holland spoke of him to his wife after 
service, expressing regret at not having been 
able to speak to him. The next Sabbath the young 
man came and went in the same way. No one knew 
him ; no one took him by the hand and bade him 
welcome, simply because he was so far back that it 
would have required considerable effort to reach him 
him before he passed out of the door. The third 
Sabbath found him in his corner again, and he seemed 
to be giving even better attention than usual to the 
sermon, addressed to young men, from the words 


THE HEATHEN AT OUR DOOR, 


251 


Is the young man safe The unsatisfied look 
in the young stranger’s eyes impressed Mr. Hol- 
land more deeply than ever, and at the close of 
the service he hurriedly left his desk to greet him ; 
but the aisle was crowded, and before he could 
make his way to the neglected corner the young 
man was gone. 

I do hope some of the young people spoke to 
him,” he said to his wife that evening after relating 
his experience. But none of them had, though, 
like their pastor, some of them had proposed in 
their hearts to do so. 

That night, a little past midnight, a messenger 
came in great haste for the minister to go down to 
the Gormly mines to see George Fielding, who had 
been attacked with a violent hemorrhage. Mr. 
blolland lost no time in obeying the summons, but 
when he reached the place the young man was dead 
— the same young man whom he had intended to 
befriend, but had not. He had been a young man 
of remarkable strength and vigor, and the 
physicians attributed his sudden and fatal hemor- 
rhage to over-exertion, on the Friday preceding, in 
a good-natured effort to test his strength. 

I hope never again to stand in the presence of 
death and feel that I have neglected an opportunity 


' 252 


* CONSECRATED ANEW. 


of doing a kindness to a fellow-being — it may be of 
winning a soul for Christ/^ said Mr. Holland at 
the young people^s meeting the next evening, after 
relating his sad experience. ‘‘ Hereafter let us be 
less chary of our words of kindness, and when a 
stranger enters our gates, let us see that he does 
not go away unwelcomed.’^ 


CHAPTER XXVI. 

PBESSINO TOWARD THE MARK. 

rest in the arms I long for— 

Rest and refuge and home ; 

Grieved and lonely and weary, 

Unto the Book I come” 

TT was Monday night, the night after the young 
stranger’s funeral, and, wearied and troubled, 
Dick Holmes had shut himself in his own room 
for an hour’s quiet study of his Bible. Soon a step 
came swiftly up the stairs ; then a light tap at the 
door was followed by the turning of the knob, and, 
without waiting for permission to enter, Arthur 
Lawrence, Dick’s most intimate friend, walked in 
with a cheery “Halloo, Dick! busy with your 
book as usual. Let me see, sir. What are you 
reading now?” glancing careleasly at the open 
volume on the stand. “ The Bible !” he exclaimed 
in astonishment. “ Why, boy, what’s the matter 
with you? I hope you are not ill.” 

“ I never felt better in my life,” replied Dick. 

253 


254 


CONSECRATED ANEW. 


What put Bible-readiug into your head then?” 
urged Arthur. You have no weakness for that 
style of literature usually.” 

^^It is a study which I have sadly neglected,” 
admitted Dick, the color mounting to his cheeks ; 
and then, speaking very rapidly to hide his confu- 
sion, he added : The truth is, Dick, I have 

changed my opinion on that subject. My wonder 
now is, how I have lived so long without a thought 
of preparing for the home beyond the skies.” 

And is this the secret you have been keeping 
from me so long ?” asked Arthur, a little reproach- 
fully. Why, if I were as happy as you seem, I 
would not rest — I would not rest until all my 
friends shared in my joy. That is one reason why 
so many doubt the genuineness of the Christian 
religion. If it is such a wonderful possession, ca- 
pable of making its possessors infinitely happy, why 
are Christians so loath to tell others of its marvel- 
ous, its transforming power ? Why have you not 
told me of your new hopes and joys, sooner?” 

have been waiting to see if the happiness 
would last,” answered Dick. My rejoicing has 
been with trembling — trembling lest this wonder- 
ful peace that has taken possession of my heart 
should, after all, prove transient. I am afraid to 


PRESSING TOWARD THE MARK. 255 


close niy eyes in sleep, lest I wake up and find my 
beautiful dream vanished.” 

“ I thought you Christians held that there was 
no such a thing as falling away from grace?” ex- 
claimed Arthur with slight sarcasm. 

“It is not the fear of falling from grace that 
troubles me,” returned Dick gravely. “There is 
no doubt concerning God’s power to carry on the 
good work of grace in the hearts where he has 
begun it ; but the question that puzzles me is. Am 
I in a state of grace? You know there is such 
a thing as being deceived in the matter. Do my 
changed feelings come from without, or are they the 
result of the indwelling of the Spirit?” 

“No one can decide that matter but yourself, 
Dick,” answered Arthur, soberly, after a few 
minutes’ silence. “No one but yourself,” he re- 
peated. “ But I believe, if I were in your place, I 
would take God at his word, and try to make the 
best of the situation. There is little, enough happi- 
ness in this world to make people hold on to such a 
hope as you seem to possess. I need not say “ seem,” 
for I am certain it is real. Your eyes, your face, 
the tone of your voice and your very walk pro- 
claim it. I only wish I could enter into the same 
peace.” 


256 


CONSECRATED ANEW. 


^^You can, Arthur. Every one is invited to 
come. ^Whosoever will, let him take the water 
of life freely.^ ^ Whosoever,^ and you are no 
stranger to the way marked out,^^ urged Dick, 
understand all that,^^ was Arthur’s reply, 
have a praying mother in the little old home 
by the sea. If all Christians were like her, and 
so lived up to what they profess, I would be a differ- 
ent man. The truth is, Dick, I have seen so much 
of the inconsistency of so-called Christians that I 
have lost faith in modern Christianity.” 

You will find it again wlien the Spirit of God 
takes up his abo*de iu your heart,” reasoned Dick. 

That is the same excuse I have urged a hundred 
times, but it will not stand before God, Christ 
says, ^Follow me,’ and nowhere in his word are we 
commanded to follow others.” 

^^Is there not a verse in the Bible that reads 
something after this fashion: ^Let your light so 
sliine before men that they may see your good 
works, and glorify your Father which is in 
heaven ’ ?” questioned Arthur. 

You have repeated it just as it is written ; and 
here is another passage, which is even stronger, 
along the same line : ^ Be ye therefore perfect, even 
as your Father wdiich is in heaven is perfect.’ 


PRESSING TOWARD THE HARK. 


257 


Everywhere in GocFs word holy living is empha- 
sized, but nowhere are sinners directed to copy 
after these imperfect earthly lives/^ was Dick^s an- 
swer. Clirist must be formed in us before such 
a change as we long to possess can take place in 
our lives. The image of Christ that is forming 
within us — that is lifers one charge. Let every 
project stand aside for that. ^Till Christ be 
formed’ no man’s work is finished, no religion 
is crowned, no life has fulfilled its end. Is the in- 
finite task begun ? Then how are we to be differ- 
ent? Time cannot change men. Death cannot 
change men. Christ can. Therefore put on 
Christ.” 

^^The only way to be like Christ is to have him 
formed within us, then,” said Arthur thoughtfully. 

understand that much, but can you tell me how 
we are to have him formed within us at will ?” 

I know of no way except by giving ourselves 
unreservedly to him, to be moulded at his will,” an- 
swered Dick after a moment’s hesitation. ^^Paul 
says, ^ I beseech you brethren, by the mercies of 
God, that you present your bodies a living sacrifice, 
holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reason- 
able service.’ If you had been present at the young 

pcoj^le’s consecration meeting last night, you would 
17 


258 


CONSECRATED ANEW, 


understand better what I mean. Perhaps the sud- 
den death of young Fielding had something to do 
with the solemnity and earnestness of the occasion, 
but I did not know exactly what consecration 
meant until I heard those young men and young 
women stand up one after another and tell what 
the Lord had done for them, and how they wished 
to lay themselves, body and soul, upon his altar, a 
living sacrifice, to be used just when and how and 
in what place he chose,^^ 

Perhaps the telling part meant more to them 
than the living part,^^ suggested Arthur dubiously. 

No doubt it is easier to explain what we wish 
to be than to be it, but those young people were 
deeply in earnest,’^ urged Dick. They felt their 
responsibility, and thought they were ready to con- 
secrate all their possessions to the service of Christ, 
their Lord and Master.’^ 

Well,’^ said Arthur thoughtfully, ‘‘ I wish their 
experience was my own, but — ’’ 

There need be no ^ifs^ and ^buts’ in the case,’^ 
interrupted Dick. Make their experience your 
own by giving yourself at once to Jesus. He is 
more willing to accept you than you are to give 
yourself into liis keeping/^ 

1^11 wait a little to see how this new life serves 


PRESSING TOWARD THE 3fARK, 


259 


you/’ answered Arthur. If you succeed, then I’ll 
follow in your footsteps.” 

I do not feel that you are doing your best in 
making such a test of my blundering life/’ re- 
turned Dick gravely. ^^Now is the only accept- 
able time, and after such an illustration of the un- 
certainty of life as we witnessed this morning you 
have no assurance that your life will be prolonged 
until the ^more convenient’ season comes. Some 
one has said that there is but one real failure in 
life possible, and that one is, not to be true to the 
best one knows. You know your duty, and it is 
not right that you should put off this one thing 
needful or make stepping-stones of my failures, no 
matter how great they may be.” 

When you are able to stand, Dick, I will come 
to you for assistance,” said Arthur. ^^Just now 
you have no need of a burden to drag you down.” 

When should we begin to lift each other up, 
Arthur? Must we gain a height first, or would it 
not be better to reach up in our feebleness together 
to the Hand that offers us a mighty help from on 
high ? The motto which Mr. Holland gave those 
young people last night, ^ To press forward toward 
the mark for the prize of the high calling of God 
in Christ Jesus,’ is the one that I have taken for 


260 


CONSECRATED ANEW. 


the year, and I dare not look backward, no matter 
how many obstacles I may find in the way,^^ Dick 
replied, and there was a ring of decision in his 
voice which convinced his friend that he meant 
what he said. 

I am sure I hope you will succeed, Dick,^^ was 
the response Arthur made as he arose to go. I 
envy you the start you have already made, but just 
at present I must let you travel on alone. I am not , 
quite ready to forsake all that I may follow 
Christ;’^ and before Dick could remonstrate with 
him he was gone. 


V 






CHAPTER XXVIL 
TELLING THE STORY TO OTHERS, 

“ Give me strength, O Lord, to lighten 
The burdens of the weak around, 

And to tell the peace to others 
I have found.’^ 

JJAVING identified himself with the church, 
Dick resolved to be regular in his attendance 
upon its ordinances, and, so far as lay in his power, 
to be faithful to all its interests. At first he did not 
take an active part in the young people’s meetings, 
but after attending a few’ nights, and observing that 
he was the only one present who sat through the 
hour with closed lips, he began to realize that his 
silence was selfish. Instead of reaching out a help- 
ing hand to others, he felt that he was really a 
hindrance to them. Still, fearing that he would 
make some mistake, or say something that would 
be out of place, he failed to give the testimony 
which, as a son of the King, he owed to his Master. 
But one night, after the leader had read the narra- 


261 


262 


CONSECRATED ANEW. 


tive about the cleansing of the lepers and the in- 
gratitude of the nine who failed to return thanks 
for the cure effected, in answer to the question, 

Where are the nine to-night?’^ he arose and in a 
quivering voice told what the Lord had so recently 
done for him. After that it was not hard for him 
to speak a word for Jesus, and he gradually slipped 
into his proper place, ready at all times to take his 
share of serving as well as enjoying. 

It must not be supposed that this young disciple 
met with no trials and temptations as he pressed 
forward in the new life upon which he had entered. 
He was intensely human, and the petty annoyances 
of his daily life irritated him, and often made his 
voice sharper than a Christiaifs voice should be. 
This weakness, perhaps, more than anything else, 
worried him, knowing as he did that Arthur’s 
critical eyes were constantly upon him. And not 
Arthur’s alone : others of his young unsaved com- 
panions were watching him, and he was alive to 
the fact that he could have very little influence 
over them until he should prove by a Christly life 
that he was really in earnest — that the change he 
professed was genuine, and not the result of a 
short-lived enthusiasm resulting from excitement. 
He realized fully that until Christ be formed in 


TELLING THE STORY TO OTHERS. 2G3 


him,’’ until he was able to live in the Spirit, it 
would be impossible to walk in the Spirit, and so 
by his life testify that he had been with Jesus and 
had learned of him. 

He was sensible of his own weakness, and yet in 
these trying times he had one source of unfailing 
comfort: he could carry everything to God in 
prayer. Nothing was too small or too insignificant 
to pour into his sympathizing ear. To convince 
himself that there was no mistake about this, he 
was accustomed, in those days, to open his Bible 
and read over and over again this precious promise: 

For we have not an high Priest which cannot be 
touched with the feeling of our infirmities ; but was 
in all points tempted like as we are, yet without 
sin.’’ It was such a comfort to feel that Jesus was 
capable of sympathizing with him in his weak- 
ness, and that he had invited him to come boldly to 
the throne of grace, that he might obtain mercy 
and find grace to help in time of need. In accept- 
ing this invitation he knew that he was taking God 
at his word, and was sure that his prayers would 
])revail. Though longing for the salvation of his 
young friends out of Christ, he excused himself 
from making personal appeals to them on the 
ground tliat he must be assured of his own interest 


264 


CONSECRATED ANEW. 


in the Saviour before trying to lead others to him. 
He understood quite well the necessity of doing as 
well as praying in this soul-winning service. Dur- 
ing one of his talks with his pastor on this subject 
the latter declared that^ though Christ alone can 
save the Avorld, Christ cannot save the world alone. 
At the time the remark sounded irreverent in his 
ears, but the more he thought about it the more he 
became convinced tliat it was true. Thougli prayer 
was undoubtedly the great power by which the 
world was to be brought to Christ, it was to be 
used in pleading with the Father to send forth 
more laborers into the vineyard. The very same 
Lord who had commanded this prayer to be made 
had afterward added, Go ye into the world, and 
preach the gospel to every creature.’’ Dick realized 
that this command was binding on him just as on 
all the followers of Christ ; still, fearing his life 
would not bear inspection, he hesitated about begin- 
ning the work he knew to be his own, waiting 
until a more convenient time should come. 

That time came sooner than he expected. It was 
on a close, sultry Sabbath evening in May, and he 
Avas to lead the young people’s meeting for the first 
time that night. He had borne this meeting on his 
lieart all week, dreaded it, and worried over it until 


TELLING THE STORY TO OTHERS, 265 


it had become a real cross ; and had it not been that 
he dared not deny his Master, I think he would 
have declined serving even at this last hour. As it 
was, feeling that he might expect closer communion 
with God in God’s own house, he started for the 
church fully half an hour before the time appoint- 
ed for the evening service, intending to spend the 
extra minutes on his knees in that sacred place, 
pleading for the presence and assistance of the 
Spirit during the hour that was to follow. He had 
passed over more than half the distance, and was 
just turning into the shady street on which the 
church was situated, when a familiar figure on the 
opposite side of the street caught his attention and 
arrested his footsteps. The face he recognized was 
that of x^Lrthur Lawrence, but looking so dejected 
that Dick at once crossed over, expecting to 
hear that Arthur was in trouble of some kind. 

Hello, Holmes !” Arthur exclaimed, looking up 
quickly when addressed by name. ^^Out for a 
promenade this beautiful day?” he queried. 

I am on my way to prayer-meeting,” Dick re- 
plied; and then at a venture asked, Won’t you 
come with me ?” 

^^Do you mean it?” inquired the young man 
with a searching look. 


266 


CONSECRATED ANEW. 


I certainly do/’ replied Dick, with an effort to 
conceal the disappointment he felt. 

‘‘ I shall go, then,” said Arthur in a firm voice. 

have been waiting this long time for just such 
an invitation.” 

Waiting, Arthur? Why did you not go with- 
out an invitation? You would have been wel- 
comed at any time,” urged Dick. 

I did not know whether I would or not,” re- 
turned Arthur doubtfully. ^^At any rate, I was 
not quite brave enough to run such a risk. I 
have been waiting for an invitation, and I am 
glad that I have received it at last, and through 
you.” 

Forgive me, Arthur, for my seeming indiffer- 
ence,” said Dick with deep emotion. I have 
thought of you and prayed for you many, many 
times, but I was afraid to make any advances for 
fear you might think I was trespassing upon ground 
that did not lie within my boundary.” 

should think that leading souls to Christ lay 
within the boundary of every child of God,” was 
Arthur’s quick answer. ^^You are not ashamed 
of the Master you serve?” he questioned with a 
puzzled look. 

No, oh no ! I am not ashamed, of Jesus, though 


TELLING THE STORY TO OTHERS, 267 


I fear I have been denying him by keeping silence/’ 
returned Dick, his eyes dim with unshed tears. 
‘‘ Clirist is all in all to me — my great burden- 
bearer. Will you not take him for your Saviour 
too?” 

‘‘ Is that the secret of your happiness — the secret 
you promised to tell me weeks and weeks ago?” 
inquired Arthur. 

That is my secret, though my broken promise 
will scarcely recommend it,” Dick answered 
thoughtfully. 

I have been watching you closely and have 
divined your secret, and if it is religion that enables 
you to live as you do and smile as you do, I want 
it in my own heart,” insisted Arthur. I am tired 
of all this worry and work. I want heart peace, 
and if you are sure that the religion of Jesus will 
give it, I will fight no longer against my con- 
victions. No one knows how I have suffered — no 
one but Jesus; and when you crossed over to my 
help this evening I was just meditating the pro- 
priety of going down to the billiard-saloon to try 
to cheer my spirits up a bit, but I will go with you 
instead.” 

‘‘1 am glad of that decision, Arthur, though I 
fear our meeting will not be as interesting as usual, 


268 


CONSECRATED ANEW. 


as I am leader to-niglit/’ said Dick humbly. It 
is my first attempt^ and I may fail altogether.’^ 

If you do, you will at least have the satisfac- 
tion of knowing you tried to do your duty/’ replied 
Arthur. ^^No matter how you succeed, I shall 
know that you are sincere, and that you are honest 
in your desire to obey the Master you have elected 
to serve.” 

But the untried leader did not meet with a 
failure that night. The meeting was a good one, 
and others besides Arthur Lawrence went away 
comforted and strengthened for the cares and trials 
of the week. 


CHAPTER XXVIII. 

WITNESSING FOB JESUS. 

Out in the highway, wherever I go, 

Seed we must gather and seed we must sow ; 

Even the tiniest seed has a power. 

Be it a thistle or be it a flower/' 

“ T WISH yon had found a more congenial place 
in which to begin your labors, Philip,” said 
Mr. Holland, the morning Philip Priest came into 
his study to tell him that .he was going down to the 
little town of Natches to teach the district school. 
“ It is a pity to waste your talents in a little ont-of- 
the-way place like that. More muscle and less 
brain would answer the rowdies down in that 
region quite as well. I do not want to discourage 
you, Philip, but I sadly fear you will not find 
much help in the new life upon which you have 
entered in that wild, ignorant place,” 

“ I will be disappointed if I do,” replied Philip, 
looking per[)lexcd. ‘‘ It is not the kind of a field 
I hoped to enter, but I do not feel like being a 

269 


270 


CONSECRATED ANEW. 


dead weight on father any longer, and this is the 
only thing that offers at present/^ 

I thought you were sure of a position as 
stenographer in Andrew^s law office? I understood 
as much from that gentleman himself/^ remarked 
Mr. Holland. 

It was the fault of the mail that I missed that 
situation. The letter tendering me the position did 
not reach me until after the expiration of the time 
given for my decision ; hence, when I presented 
myself, another young man, more fortunate than 
myself, had been installed in the place. I was 
sorely disappointed, but determined to make the 
most of my misfortune by looking up something 
else. Natches, being an undesirable location, 
chanced to be without a teacher, and I accepted the 
position, not because it promised to be congenial, 
but simply from a sense of duty.^^ 

God doubtless had a hand in it, Philip, and he 
makes no mistakes in planning for his children,^’ 
admitted Mr. Holland. He may have an im- 
portant mission awaiting you out among the 
young people of Natches. At any rate, take your 
religion with you, and, if I mistake not, you 
will find abundant opportunities to put it into 
practice.’’ 


WITNESSING FOR JESUS. 


271 


I could not well leave it behind/’ replied 
Philip seriously. 

Many do, Philip — many do/’ was Mr. Hol- 
land’s emphatic answer. Many who are consist- 
ent Christians at home seem to forget all about 
their vows when they go where they are not 
known. In fact, they act very much as if they had 
left God behind too.” 

Helen is worrying about my going, although it 
would be hard to find a more neglected corner any- 
Avhere than just Natches,” remarked Philip ; and, 
though he made an effort to smile, there was a little 
tremor in his voice, that Mr. Holland detected at 
once. am aware that my past life does not 

argue favorably in my behalf — that I am more sus- 
ceptible to temptation than others who have always 
kept a clean record, but I feel that the God whom 
I serve is able to keep me continually from falling. 
His own words are, ‘ When thou walkest through 
the fire thou shalt not be burned ; neither shall the 
flame kindle upon thee.” 

Yes ; but if we go voluntarily into temptation, 
it seems like presumption to ask him to keep us 
from being defiled by the atmosphere surrounding 
us,” argued Mr. Holland. However, if duty 
calls us into danger, we will always be safe while 


272 


CONSECRATED ANEW. 


trusting in him. In the midst of the temptation 
that awaits you in your new field of labor, let me 
urge you always and under all circumstances to 
be a faithful, earnest witness for your blessed 
Master.’’ 

I trust I shall not deny him, at least,” answered 
Philip in a decided way. 

That determination embraces a great deal more 
than you think, Philip,” urged Mr. Holland. 

Standing up for Jesus in a community where 
there are no churches and where the Sabbath is 
kept only as a holiday is very different from fol- 
lowing in his steps in a place where religion is pop- 
ular and the majority of the people are church-goers. 
Mere silent witnessing for Christ may prove a 
much greater sacrifice than you at present imagine. 
Let me give you a little of my own experience on 
this subject: 

About ten years ago, just after I left college, I 
went to a little mining town, away out in Colorado, 
to engage in teaching. It was a wild, wicked place, 
and, although I had been carefully trained in a 
Christian home, I regret to say that I soon became 
so accustomed to the mode of life the inhabitants 
had adopted as to think very little of the responsi- 
bility devolving upon me. Though the town was 


WITNESSING FOR JESUS. 


273 


small, drinking, swearing and fighting were com- 
mon, and work was carried on during the Sabbath 
just as on the other days of the week. 

After I had been there nearly a year a stranger 
who seemed to have plenty of money bought a lot 
in the centre of the town for the purpose of erect- 
ing a large woolen-factory. He had all his build- 
ing-material in readiness when shipped, and the 
number of men he put to work on the Monday 
morning of his arrival convinced the villagers that 
he meant business. During the week the structure 
rose like magic, but when the Sabbath dawned, 
clear and bright, not a single workman made his 
appearance. Labor went on in other places as 
usual, but here everything was strangely silent. 
People on the street stopped to inquire what was 
wrong, but no one could explain why the workmen 
Avere idle until one, bolder than the rest, ventured 
into the presence of the proprietor to inquire into 
the trouble. 

^ Nothing is wrong, ^ replied the stranger pleas- 
antly when the man had made his errand known. 
‘ This is the Sabbath, you know, and I neither 
work nor permit my men to work on that day.’ 

^^The newcomer’s peculiar views were freely dis- 
cussed tliat afternoon among his neighbors. Some 
18 


274 


CONSECRATED ANEW, 


thought he was not altogether sane, and others ex- 
pressed the opinion that he was entirely too con- 
scientious to live in a mining town, where people 
were obliged to work for a living ; but all agreed 
that sooner or later he would be glad to conform to 
the customs of the place, as others had done. But 
in this they were mistaken. The work on the build- 
ing went on with increasing rapidity during the 
weeks that followed, but with the return of the 
Sabbath the sound of the hammer and the axe was 
stilled, and the great unfinished structure stood 
there alone, in that wicked place, a silent witness 
for tlie Master. I tell you, Philip, that mute 
building appealed to my conscience as no other 
testimony could have done. Others, wanderers 
like myself from godly homes, felt the same silent 
influence, and in the course of a few months a 
great reformation was wrought througli the aid of 
that dumb preacher which had testified so faith- 
fully for the sanctity of God’s holy day. After- 
ward a church was organized and an earnest minis- 
ter of the gospel came among us — came with the 
open Bible in his hand and the love of God in his 
heart, and — well, if it had not been for my year in 
that mining town I might still be a stranger to 
Jesus, for it was that consecrated man who led me to 


WITNESSING FOR JESUS. 


275 


the Saviour. I tell you this story to show you the 
power of even a silent witness for Christ. I do not 
mean, of course, that you are to begin a large build- 
ing in order to gain this influence, but you must let 
your daily life testify for the Master in such a way 
as not to be misunderstood. Never be ashamed of 
him, and in the midst of ignorance and sin keep 
yourself unspotted from the world.^^ 

Philip did not forget the counsel of his pastor 
when he went down to the little manufacturing 
town of Natclies to enter upon his duties there. 
He took Jesus witli him right into the school- 
room, but he found it much harder than he had 
anticipated to display his colors in a place where 
everybody seemed to be marching under another 
captain than the one he was trying to follow. 
It was a new but rapidly growing town, without 
churches or Sabbath-schools or prayer-meetings, 
and though work was suspended on the Sabbath, 
the day was observed merely as a holiday. 

One could scarcely imagine a more uninviting 
field in which to labor than the one that opened up 
b(;fore the young teacher on that cold Monday 
morning when he first began his w’ork in the little 
frame building perched on the side of a rocky 
knob called by the villagers ^Mlough and Ready.’’ 


276 


CONSECRATED ANEW. 


The play-ground was narrow and cramped and 
altogether devoid of shade-trees, and, as neither 
shutters nor blinds had been provided for the win- 
dows, the sun streamed in through the dingy panes 
of glass in a way that was very trying to Philip’s 
eyes. Over two-score boys and girls, ranging in 
age from five to twenty years, came trooping 
noisily in and filled the rough benches as soon as 
the signal for study hours was given. As Philip 
glanced over the long rows of untutored, defiant 
faces before him his heart almost stood still, and 
for a moment he felt like snatching up his hat and 
making his escape. He had prepared a nice little 
speech for the occasion, but when the time to de- 
liver it came round he could not recall a word he 
intended to say. 

will read the passage of Scripture I have 
selected, and then enroll the young savages,” he 
thought as he fumbled in his pocket for his Testa- 
ment. I will not attempt to pray in such a place, 
as these ruffians would only make sport of me. It 
does not seem just the right thing to do, but I 
would be sure to break down entirely if I made the 
effort under such discouraging circumstances.” But 
when he opened his Testament he could not find 
the verses he had selected — his mark had dropped 


WITNESSING FOR JESUS. 


277 


out — so he read the passage his eyes fell upon first, 
aud this is what it proved to be : Whosoever 

will come after me, let him deny himself, and take 
up his cross and follow me. Whosoever therefore 
shall be ashamed of me and my words in this 
adulterous and sinful generation, of him also shall 
the Son of man be ashamed when he cometh in the 
glory of his Father with the holy augels.^^ 

it possible that I am ashamed of the dear 
Lord who died for me he questioned himself as 
the last words trembled on his lips. He hesitated 
a moment after finishing the passage, and then, 
closing the book, he said in a low but very distinct 
voice, Let us bow our heads in prayer.’^ 
Although he was confident that his own was the 
only head bowed, he found words to make his 
wants known to that Friend who never turns a 
deaf ear to liis children's cry. That prayer gave 
him strength and courage for the duties and trials 
of the day, and he succeeded in holding the atten- 
tion of his unruly scholars much better than he 
had hoped at the outset. 

If God is on my side — or, rather, if I am on 
God^s side — I am sure of success in the end,^^ he said 
to himself as he walked to his boarding-house that 
evening. I am glad that I did not listen to the 


278 


CONSECRATED ANEW. 


voice of the tempter, and deny my Master at the 
very beginning of my new life/^ lie added, think- 
ing of the morning’s temptation not to attemjit to 
pray in his school. 

^^We won’t have religion taught in the school, 
nohow,” said one of the committeemen, meeting 
Philip on the street the following morning. ^^It 
isn’t accordin’ to law, and even if it was, we 
wouldn’t put up with it, ’cause it ain’t fair, seein’ 
lots of folks don’t believe in it. Better go on 
teachin’ g’ography and ’rithmetic, and leave the 
prayin’ to the parson; however, if other folks 
don’t get up a racket. I’ll make no fuss, providin’ 
you don’t waste too much time in the exercises. 
But, as I said before, better stick to your legitimate 
business, and let preachin’ alone. The school-board 
is purty strict, and if you want to get along with- 
out trouble, try to keep on the good side of us old 
fellows.” 

This conversation Philip repeated to Mr. Evans, 
the old pastor who for more than a quarter of a cen- 
tury had ministered to the humble people who 
worshiped in the little country church half a mile 
outside the hamlet. 

I had hoped to be able to do a little for the 
Master while I remained here, but if it is against 


WITNESSING FOR JESUS. 


279 


the law ^to teach religion/ I fear niy influence in 
that direction will be limited.’^ 

There is no law against living your religion, 
my young friend/^ said the old man gently. 
‘‘And, after all, there is no preaching so influential 
as a Christly life.^’ 

This was a method of teaching that Philip had 
not taken into consideration, but he did not forget 
the good old father’s suggestion, and as the days 
and weeks and months wore away he labored faith- 
fully to honor his Master by trying to imitate his 
virtues. What he did not preach by precept he 
endeavored to impress upon his pupils by pure, up- 
right living. The unruly spirits that bade defiance 
to all authority at first, under his firm, gentle rule 
became as pliable as clay. The very first week the 
school-house was thoroughly cleansed, the burning 
sun was shut out by modest curtains, and fresh 
flowers often found their way to the teacher’s desk, 
regardless of the season. Gradually, as time ad- 
vanced, the morning exercises were reinstated, and 
after a little the scholars joined in the service, first 
by bowing their heads during prayer, then by tak- 
ing part in the Scripture lesson, and finally by re- 
peating the Lord’s Prayer in concert with him. 
Philip’s genial nature made him a favorite with the 


-280 


CONSECRATED ANEW. 


youDg men of the village as well as with the 
scholars in school, and before he had been in the 
place a month he had received many invitations to 
join them in their sports on the Lord^s day. He 
had the courage of his convictions, however, and in 
a quiet but very decided way informed them that 
he could not desecrate the Sabbath. They laughed 
at his scruples at first, yet they could not help 
admiring the spirit he showed, and more tlian one 
among the number felt the silent rebuke thus ad- 
ministered day after day more than they were will- 
ing to admit. Two or three confessed as much to 
Philip, and acknowledged that they had lived in a 
very different manner in their Christian homes far 
away. 

Philip was only a young disciple himself, and 
hitherto had been a follower rather than a leader, 
yet he was very much in earnest ; and after pray- 
ing much over the matter he invited three or four 
of the young men to his^’oom on a certain night to 
talk over their hopes and prospects for the future. 
He was surprised to learn that two of the number, 
George Geddes and Mark Wilson, had been pro- 
fessors of religion at home. They had not been 
strong enough to resist the temptations surround- 
ing them when they took up their abode among 


WITNESSING FOR JESUS. 


281 


the reckless people of Rough and Ready. They 
were tired of the life they had been leading, and 
eagerly expressed their desire to return to their 
allegiance to their fathers’ God. Before the com- 
pany separated they agreed to meet together on 
Sabbaths for the purpose of studying their Bibles and 
praying for themselves and their wicked companions. 


CHAPTER XXIX. 


LIVE AND LOVE. 

Doing both nobly, because lowlily ; 

Live and work strongly, because patiently.” 

^TER a few meetiugs Philip succeeded in per- 



suading two or three other young men to join 
the little band that met in his room twice a week 
for the study of the Bible, and when the number 
reached twelve he suggested the propriety of organ- 
izing a Christian Endeavor Society. When the 
little upper room became too small to accommodate 
them they secured the consent of the committee- 
men to meet in the school-house. At first the bur- 
den of the services fell to Philip, but as the interest 
deepened others willingly agreed to perform the 
parts assigned them, and before the bright, warm 
spring days came the little old-fashioned scliool- 
house had to be exchanged for a more commodious 
building. During the first week in March these 
earnest young people met every night to pray for 
the outpouring of the Spirit upon themselves and 
upon the entire community. 


282 


LIVE AND LOVE. 


283 


Philip’s earnestness in the Master’s cause made 
him an active worker in every sphere where he was 
placed ; consequently, when asked by the pastor of 
the little country church to take charge of a class 
of unruly boys in the Sabbath-school he readily 
consented to do his best, although he had never 
had much experience in that line. He knew, how- 
ever, where to go for assistance, and, having conse- 
crated himself wholly to the Master’s service, and 
having a gentle heart, he was not long in finding 
the way to the hearts of the poor untaught boys 
committed to his care. 

He had been teaching but a few days when his 
class was augmented by several new scholars from 
the day-school — boys who had never attended Sab- 
bath-school before. Having been taught the way 
of salvation so early in life that the knowledge 
seemed to have been born with him, he could 
scarcely believe that such ignorance as he found 
among his pupils could really exist in a Christian 
land. Over and over again, in language which 
they could all understand, did he repeat the old yet 
ever new story of Jesus and his love; and the very 
earnestness of his appeals touched a chord in the 
hearts of his boys, and, without prejudicing them, 
compelled their closest attention. 


284 


CONSECRATED ANEW. 


Soon after the week spent in prayer a quiet re- 
vival began, and, though there was no excitement 
connected with it, tlie meetings grew in interest and 
solemnity until every home and every heart in the 
village was touched. Ministers from neighboring 
towns very willingly tendered their assistance, and 
Mr. Holland, from Philip’s old home, came down 
to bid them God-speed and catch a breath of in- 
spiration. Before the services closed more hearts 
than Philip Priest’s throbbed gladly with hope and 
gratitude when they counted the number of souls 
that had been born into Christ’s kingdom. 

You have been bearing more than silent wit- 
ness for the Master, Philip,” said Mr. Holland as 
he grasped the young man’s hand the night of the 
farewell meeting. ^^What a glorious privilege it 
is to be an instrument in God’s hand in bringing 
souls to Christ !” 

I am beginning to realize the responsibility of 
living,” answered Philip. ^^If I have borne even 
the least witness for Jesus, it has all been accom- 
plished through your faithfulness in warning me. 
I never could forget the influence of that silent 
building, witnessing so mutely for the truth. The 
thought that my Saviour would accept even the 
gift of dumb serving made me strong to resist 


LIVE AND LOVE. 


285 


temptation, and helped me to try to follow closely 
in his steps/^ 

There is no witness-bearing so powerful, so 
convincing as that of a consistent life,^^ commented 
Mr. Holland. ‘^Blessed is he who is wise enough 
to know when to speak and when to keep silent. 
You were not mistaken in choosing your field of 
labor, after all.’’ 

God chose the work for me,” replied Philip. 

I did not want to come here : I had set my heart 
on something better and easier than teaching 
school, especially in the backwoods. But God sent 
me here and set me to praying, and, whatever good 
has been accomplished through my weak efforts, 
the honor belongs to him. You know he often 
chooses the weak things of the world to confound 
the wise.” 

That is true,” admitted Mr. Holland. God 
makes no mistakes or blunders. He has been 
guiding and directing your efforts here, and he will 
accept the work that he has put it into your heart 
to do.” 

^^This morning I opened my Bible at this 
verse,” said Philip, repeating : ^ In that day shall 
there be upon the bells of the horses holiness unto 
the Lord ; and the pots in the Lord’s house shall 


286 


CONSECRATED ANEW. 


be like the bowls before the altar.’ The words im- 
pressed me deeply at the time, and all day they 
have kept up au echo in my heart. If ^ holiness 
unto the Lord ’ is to be written upon the bells of 
the horses, how much more should it be written 
upon our lives ! and if the pots in the Lord’s liouse 
are like the bowls before the altar, how very care- 
ful should we be, in our common, every-day life, to 
keep ourselves unspotted from the world !” 

Our religion should be carried into our busi- 
ness, our pleasures, our daily walk and conversa- 
tion,” assented Mr. Holland. It is not a garment 
to be worn on the Sabbath and laid aside during 
the week. Good preaching with bad practicing has 
injured the cause of Christ more, perhaps, than any 
other one thing. If we profess his name, we 
should be very careful that our actions never belie 
our profession. If we are Christ’s true followers, 
if we are wholly consecrated to his service, we will 
always endeavor so to walk that the world, seeing 
us, may know that we Iiave been with Jesus. In 
this little neglected corner the light of your candle 
lias cast its rays far and wide, and I bid you God- 
speed in your labor of love among these people. 
Let us pray for still greater blessings in the future 
— pray and hope and trust. We honor God by 


LIVE AND LOVE. 


287 


trusting him, and if he is honored by our trusting 
liim, how great must be the honor he confers by 
trusting us! We have a trust committed to us — 
nothing less than the gospel of Jesus Christ, with 
all its eternal verities, its profound truths, its 
practical teachings, its rich experiences, its charac- 
ter-developing vitality. The whole plan of salva- 
tion was entrusted to Christ — ^ All things are de- 
livered to me of my Father’ — and now that wonder- 
ful plan is entrusted to Christ’s followers — to you 
and to me as soldiers of the cross.” 

And he holds us responsible for giving it to 
the world,” declared Philip. 

As the Father trusted him, so he trusts us,” 
replied Mr. Holland thoughtfully. 

I tremble when I think of the responsibility 
resting upon me,” said Philip. I am so weak and 
inexperienced.” 

We cannot feel too deeply the mountain-weight 
of accountability which this trust imposes, provided 
we realize the mountain-weight of privileges to 
which it' invites and urges us. Out of a true appre- 
ciation of the stewardship here implied springs the 
solid joy of being deemed worthy of confidence by 
him who governs the worlds. He holds us respon- 
sible, not for results, but for simple fidelity. Duty 


288 


CONSECRATED ANEW, 


is ours; consequences are God’s. When we have 
done our best we have a right to rest and rejoice. 
Fidelity to trust is rewarded with conscious divine 
approbation. Would you delight the heart of 
Christ? Then by your uniform faithfulness prove 
to him that the dearest interests of his kingdom are 
safe in your keeping.” 

Having accepted this trust, is it not very im- 
portant that we rightly represent him ?” asked 
Philip. Sometimes I fear we dishonor rather than 
honor him by our daily lives.” 

Our every-day life must not be a caricature of 
the Christ. Those beautiful graces and admirable 
virtues which enriched and adorned his character 
must glow in our souls and shine through our con- 
duct. Associate with him. Sit at his feet. Learn 
of him from intimate companionship. Catch his 
spirit. Be intensely loyal to him here on earth, 
and at the judgment day it vvill be declared that 
you were worthy of tho. trust committed to you.” 


CHAPTER XXX. 

THE SUNRISE PRAYER-MEETING. 


“I serve the Lord Christ, though my path may be lowly, 

And humble the work of my hands day by day ; 

Unto me each task makes my common life holy ; 

And happy those servants who hear and obey.’’ 

I T was the first meeting of the society's new year, 
and, though lield at sunrise, nearly every mem- 
her was present. 

One after another s]K)ke of the wonderful change 
that had taken ])laee in the congregation during the 
twelve months just closed. There was no lagging 
nor long, distressing pauses, and the time allotted 
for testimony was so fully taken up with short, 
pointed remarks that there was no time left for the 
tedious, tiresome speeches that so often kill the 
})rayer-meeting, even among the young ])eo})le. 

At the close of the hour Mr. Holland arose and 
said. 

Nothing so thrills me with enthusiasm and con- 
vinces me of the aggressive power of modern Chris- 
VJ 28 y 


290 


CONSECRATED ANEW. 


tiaiiity as to see young men and maidens, with the 
heroism growing out of true dev^otion, stand up in 
the presence of tlie church and the world and bear 
such testimonv as I liave lieard here this mornine:. 
I am more than ever convinced that this in)rising 
among the young is not the result of excitement, 
else it would not continue, and week after week and 
month after month would not resound with, glad' 
voices, each exclaiming, ^ I am ready to do my 
share of the work for Christ and the Church 
^ Here am I ; send me.’ I have found that this is 
no idle boast. There is a determination behind it, 
born of the indwelling love of God. This work is 
not of the earth, earthy ; it is of the Lord, from 
heaven. There can be no Christian consecration 
in which God is not a factor by his call and prom- 
ises, by a desire im})lanted in us, by an inspiration 
urging us on, by a watchful care guiding us. Nor 
is there any consecration into which man does not 
enter 1)V his answer to the call, his faith in the 
])romises, his yielding to the ins])iration, his follow- 
ing of the divine guidance — by a combination of all 
(he characteristics that go to make up a lioly life. 
Ciod’s part in consecration is asking for the entire 
life in all its ebb and flow. Our part is simply the 
dedicating of that ebb and flow to him. T have 


THE SUNRISE PRAYER-MEETING. 


291 


been wondering, wliile listening to the witness- 
hearing this morning, how many of us, at the close 
of this year of work, can say Irom the lieart, ‘lor 
me to live is Christ/ 

“ It is much easier to repeat those words than to 
live them,'’ said Helen Priest. “ It is one thing to 
set a high standard, and another thing to live up to 
it. Idfe is so full of stumbling-blocks — little cares 
and trials which seem so insignificant until we un- 
consciously fall into their snares.^^ 

“ Still, it is better to aim high, even though we 
fall short of our mark,’’ argued Herbert Garde. 
“ My worst hindrance comes from within.” 

“It takes a hero to surrender self. Only a 
])rave life can have for its aim not self, but the 
sacrifice of self,” said Dane Bronson. “ We shall 
hasten the millennial day when we learn that the 
point for the exhibition and application of our con- 
secration in its highest, purest^ noblest form is the 
])oint where we come in contact with the world.” 

“ That was a true prayer of consecration which 
the young man made when starting on his new and 
better life,” ventured liaura Frisbee, repeating 
softly, “‘O r.ord, please to take me as I am for 
Jesus’ sake, and make me by thy Holy Spirit what 
1 ought to l)e.’ ” 


292 


CONSECRATED ANEW. 


^^What a consecrated host we would be if we 
made that petition oiirs!’^ resj)onded Mr. Holland. 
^^Then how heartily we could join with Miss 
Havergal in devoting to the Master life^ hands, 
feet, voice, lips, silver and gold, time, intellect, 
heart, until everything is consecrated as in the 
closing lines of the hymn, 

‘ Take myself, and I will be, 

Ever, only, all for thee.’ ” 

AVhen I first went to Nat(*hes I was greatly 
distressed over the veto my employers j)ut upon 
devotional exercises at the opening of my school. 
But when I told my troul)les to the old pastor of 
the little church there, he comforted me by the 
assurance that there was no law atrainst livimr oiafs 
religion ; and among other verses to which die re- 
ferred me I found this one: Mam crucified with 
Christ; nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ 
liveth in me,’ ” said Philip Priest, rejieating the 
words reverently. If Christ lives in us^ — if we 
can be his hands to perform deeds of kindness, his 
feet to run on errands of mercy, his voice to speak 
in tender accents to those i*. trouble, his eyes to droj) 
the tears of pity over the fallen — how careful should 
we be that our living does not dishonor him !” 


THE SUNRISE PRAYER- MEETING. 


293 


we are his workmanship, created in 
Clirist Jesus unto good works, whicli God liath 
before ordained that we sliould walk in them,’ ” 
Eleanor Gray read from her open Bible. How 
responsible life becomes in the light of such truths! 
How can we beautify these earthly temples for tlie 
reception of the heavenly Guest?” 

^^Ciirist has promised to abide with us for ever ; 
he lives in us, and ofttimes he comes to us in ways 
so lowly that we do not recognize him until he has 
gone,” said Louis Bergh. Let us take him with 
us right into the conflicts of this New Year, in 
which we will encounter discouragements and 
defeats as well as triumphs.” 

In the New Year upon which we enter this 
morning we should make an honest effort to help 
each other more than we have done in the one just 
closed,” remarked Bernice Lyle. We help and 
we gain help by joining hands in work, and we 
often hinder by persisting in independent work- 
ing.” 

We need much of the grace that comes oidy 
from sitting long at the feet of Jesus in ordcu- to 
Ixjar one another’s burdens so as to fulfill the law 
of Christ,” added Nellie Ames. We all need 
h(‘l]) at times, and we should be so in sympathy 


294 


CO y SEC R A TED A EE W. 


with each other that it would be joy rather than 
hardship to lielp earry each other\s burdens/’ 

Xo one can stand alone/’ declared Lois Dean ; 
^Luid we ought to thank the dear Lord every day 
not oidy for what we are, but for what we are 
not; i]ot only for the good we are permitted 
to do, but for the evil we are restrained from 
doing.” 

^L\nything and everything we possess should be 
consecrated to God,” urged Dick Holmes. Life, 
when consecrated to his service, is worth living. I 
thought I was happy before I found Christ, but 
now I could not live without him. Everything 
without him is nothing, but nothing, with his pres- 
ence, is everything.”* 

He is all and in all,” assented Nan Wilson. 

The chief among ten thousand, and altogether 
lovely.” 

^^The daily round of duty is full of probation 
and discipline; it trains'^the will, the heart and the 
conscience ; so, by performing our duty to each 
other, we honor the Master, and thus grow in grace 
and zeal for the service of our King,” said Lee 
Cunningham. More laborers are needed in the 
Master’s vineyard, and as followers of Jesus we 
should strive to fit ourselves for whatever work 


THE SUNRISE PRAYER-MEETING. 


295 


may be in preparation for us. The duties of 
church-life are a discipline for the ministries of 
heaven.’^ 

George ITesket, a young stranger present, re- 
({uested permission to speak, and was eagerly 
welcomed. Looking at the letters Y. P. S. C. E. 
arranged in evergreen over the platform, he said, 
pointing up, 

^ly friends, I wish to tell you that those five 
letters mean a great deal to me. I was lost, well- 
nigh ruined, when the members of a Christian 
Endeavor Society in a church in a distant city 
gathered about me, an utter stranger, and saved me 
against my will. I assure you if it had not been 
for the kindness shown me then and there I would 
not have been here this morning, a brand snatched 
from the burning, to tell you what great things 
God hath wrought for me.’’ 

When the stranger sat down there were many 
dim eyes among the happy young people who had 
heard him speak, and in the brief silence that fol- 
lowed some one began to sing in a joylid voice. 


“ IVaise liirn ! praise him ! Jesus, our blesse<l Kedeemer! 
Sing, () eartli, liis wonderful love proclaim ! 

Hail him ! hail him! highest archangel in glory! 
Strength and honor give to hin holy name. 


296 


COySECRATED ANEW. 


Like a shepherd Jesus will guard his children ; 

In his arms lie carries them all day long. 

I^raise him ! praise him ! tell of his excellent goodness; 

Praise him ! praise him ! ever in joyful song.’* 

Entering upon the work of this new year, the 
second in the life of onr society, let us prove our- 
selves not only Christian Endeavorers but Chris- 
tian Doers, said Mr. Holland. ^^To do our work 
well we must do it as in Christas presence and for 
his sake. A word from him once stilled the raging 
sea, and a glance from him to us and from us to 
him can do as much for us to-day. As we go out 
into the world this morning let us all resolve to be 
living epistles of Christ, so clearly written, in such 
large letters, that he who runs may read ; and may 
the savor of our religion, like Mary^s precious oint- 
ment, fill all the houses where we dwell, and, over- 
flowing, carry its sweet fragrance out into the world 
to bless other hearts and other homes around us.’^ 


THE END. 



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